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Rangitikei District
Territorial authority
Rangitikei District Council offices in Marton
Rangitikei District Council offices in Marton
Rangitikei District.svg
Country New Zealand
Region Manawatū-Whanganui
Wards Northern
Central
Southern
Formed 1989
Seat Marton
Area
 • Land 4,483.91 km2 (1,731.25 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)
 • Total 16,300
Time zone UTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
Map of postcodes
Website Rangitikei District
Rangitikei
Rangitīkei River at Mangaweka

The Rangitikei District is a territorial authority located primarily in the Manawatū-Whanganui region in the North Island of New Zealand, although a small part, the town of Ngamatea (13.63% by land area), lies in the Hawke's Bay Region. It is located in the southwest of the island, and follows the catchment area of the Rangitīkei River.

The Rangitikei District Council is the local government authority for this district. It is composed of a mayor, currently Andy Watson, and 11 councillors, one of whom is the deputy mayor.

History

The Rangitikei District was established in 1989 as part of the 1989 local government reforms.

Geography

Located north of Wellington, the district stretches from the South Taranaki Bight toward the North Island Volcanic Plateau, forming a trapezium-shaped block that includes the towns of Taihape, Bulls, Marton, Hunterville, and Mangaweka. The district has an area of 4,538 km².

Climate

Rangitikei's climate is temperate and has few extremes compared to many parts of New Zealand. According to the Köppen climate classification, this climate is classified as oceanic climate (Cfb). Summers are warm with average temperatures in the low 20s. The most settled weather occurs in summer and early autumn. Winters are mild near the coast and on the plains; it is colder inland and in the hill country, but often frosty, clear and calm. Snowfall occasionally settles in areas 400 m above sea level, such as Taihape. Annual rainfall is moderate and annual hours of bright sunshine can average over 2,000.

Demographics

Rangitikei District covers 4,483.91 km2 (1,731.25 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 16,300 as of June 2023, with a population density of 3.6 people per km2.

Historical population
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
1986 17,694 —    
1991 16,676 −1.18%
1996 16,531 −0.17%
2001 15,102 −1.79%
2006 14,712 −0.52%
2013 14,019 −0.69%
2018 15,027 +1.40%

Rangitikei District had a population of 15,027 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,008 people (7.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 315 people (2.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 5,721 households. There were 7,554 males and 7,473 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female. The median age was 41.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 3,135 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 2,586 (17.2%) aged 15 to 29, 6,492 (43.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 2,814 (18.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 79.2% European/Pākehā, 26.2% Māori, 5.6% Pacific peoples, 2.1% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 12.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 46.1% had no religion, 38.5% were Christian, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 6.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,365 (11.5%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 2,964 (24.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 1,242 people (10.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 5,742 (48.3%) people were employed full-time, 1,884 (15.8%) were part-time, and 417 (3.5%) were unemployed.

Individual wards (2018 boundaries)
Name Area (km2) Population Density (per km2) Households Median age Median income
Taihape Ward 3,091.56 3,456 1.12 1,347 40.6 years $30,000
Hunterville Ward 650.39 1,293 1.99 522 43.1 years $27,200
Bulls Ward 272.65 2,790 10.23 1,011 34.2 years $32,500
Marton Ward 206.15 6,255 30.34 2,415 45.0 years $24,200
Turakina Ward 262.98 1,230 4.68 429 41.6 years $27,900
New Zealand 37.4 years $31,800

Transport

Roads

State Highway 1 State Highway 1 NZ.svg goes through Bulls. The North Island portion of this national state highway, one of only eight in New Zealand, begins at Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua and ends at Wellington International Airport—passing through Bulls at 925 km.

State Highway 3 State Highway 3 NZ.svg passes through Bulls. This highway connects Woodville (25 km east of Palmerston North) and Hamilton via New Plymouth.

State Highway 54 State Highway 54 NZ.svg connects Palmerston North and SH 1 at Vinegar Hill via Feilding.

Public transport

InterCity runs five daily and three non-daily bus services in Marton and Bulls. These include WhanganuiWellington, Palmerston North–Auckland, Tauranga–Wellington, Wellington–New Plymouth and Auckland–Palmerston North.

Marton used to be serviced by the North Island Main Trunk (or Overlander), a railway line connecting Auckland and Wellington. However, in 2012 the Overlander was replaced by the Northern Explorer, which has fewer stops and does not stop in Marton.

The nearest airports to the district are Whanganui Airport, located 37 km west (of Marton), and Palmerston North Airport, located 44 km southeast. Both airports are domestic only.

Education

Secondary schools
  • Rangitikei College, Marton
  • Nga Tawa Diocesan School, Marton
  • Turakina Maori Girls' College, Marton (until 2015, now closed)
  • Taihape Area School, Taihape (years 1–13)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Distrito de Rangitikei para niños

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