Rakaia

Rakaia
Urban Area	Population	1,080 (2006 est.)
Territorial Authority	Name	Ashburton District Council
	Population	27,600 (2006 est.)
	Extent	Pacific Ocean to the Southern Alps, and the Rangitata River to the Rakaia River, including the towns of Methven, Mount Somers, and Rakaia
Regional Council	Name	Canterbury

The town of Rakaia is seated close to the southern banks of the Rakaia River on the Canterbury Plains in New Zealand's South Island, on State Highway 1 and the Main South Line. Immediately north of the township are the country's longest road bridge and longest rail bridge, both of which cross the wide shingle beds of the braided river at this point. Both bridges are approximately 1750 metres in length. Rakaia was also the junction of the Methven Branch, a branch line railway to Methven that operated from 1880 until its closure in 1976.

A township of under 1000 people, its most obvious feature is a large fibreglass salmon. The river from which the town takes its name is known for its salmon fishing and jetboating.

External links

* [http://www.ashburtontourism.co.nz/newzealand/rakaia/ Rakaia Tourism subpage]
* [http://rakaia.co.nz/index_files/rakaia_history.htm Brief history of Rakaia]