Rakaia

Rakaia
town
The Big Salmon of Rakaia
Coordinates: 43°45′S 172°01′E / 43.750°S 172.017°E / -43.750; 172.017
Country	New Zealand
Region	Canterbury
Territorial authority	Ashburton District
Ward	Eastern
Electorates	Rangitata Te Tai Tonga (Māori)
Government
• Territorial authority	Ashburton District Council
• Regional council	Environment Canterbury
• Mayor of Ashburton	Neil Brown
• Rangitata MP	James Meager
• Te Tai Tonga MP	Tākuta Ferris
Area [1]
• Total	11.30 km2 (4.36 sq mi)
Elevation	108 m (354 ft)
Population  (June 2024)[2]
• Total	1,730
• Density	150/km2 (400/sq mi)

Rakaia is a town sited on the southern banks of the Rakaia River on the Canterbury Plains in New Zealand's South Island, approximately 57 km south of Christchurch on State Highway 1 and the Main South Line. Immediately north of the township are New Zealand'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 1,750 metres (5,740 ft) in length.^{[citation needed]}

Rakaia was also the junction of the Methven Branch, a branch line railway to Methven that operated from 1880 until its closure in 1976. An accident at the railway station in 1899 killed four people.^[3]

Rakaia's 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.

The town and river were previously known as Cholmondeley,^[4] but the Māori name would eventually prevail over the English one.

The rural community of Acton is located south of the Rakaia township.^[5]