- Rakaia
Rakaia Urban Area Population 1,080 (2006 est.) Territorial
AuthorityName Ashburton District Council Population 27,600 (2006 est.) Extent Pacific Ocean to theSouthern Alps , and the
Rangitata River to theRakaia River , including
the towns of Methven,Mount Somers , and RakaiaRegional
CouncilName Canterbury The town of Rakaia is seated close to the southern banks of the
Rakaia River on theCanterbury Plains inNew Zealand 'sSouth Island , on State Highway 1 and theMain 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 thebraided river at this point. Both bridges are approximately 1750 metres in length. Rakaia was also the junction of theMethven Branch , abranch 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]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.