This page is about the diverse offerings of the Waimakariri District and its vast and interesting history. For more information on working, visiting and living in the Waimakariri District, please visit the North Canterbury website.
Location of the Waimakariri District
The
Waimakariri District lies to the north of the Waimakariri River in
North Canterbury. The major urban areas are Rangiora and Kaiapoi, which
are respectively about 20 and 30 minutes travelling time by car from the
centre of Christchurch City. There are other urban settlements including Woodend and Oxford, as well as a number of village and beach settlements.
The district occupies some 225,000 hectares, and extends from Pegasus Bay
in the east to the Puketeraki Range in the west. It is bounded to the
north by the Hurunui District.
Demographics of the District
The Waimakariri
District has a population of approximately 47,600 (as at 30 June 2010).
The district has experienced a rapidly growing population that is
predicted to continue to increase. Despite rapid growth, Waimakariri has
retained its rural/small town character.
The Waimakariri Social Profile (pdf, 234.26 kB) and District Plan provide information relating to the demographic make-up of the District.
Agriculture of the District
A
large portion of the Waimakariri District has fertile flat land, or
highly productive rolling downs. Much of the land to the east of
Rangiora is reclaimed swamp, which is still subject to poor drainage and
occasional flooding.
Industry in the Waimakariri District
The district has a few major industries. A large fibreboard plant at Sefton
draws on local wood resources. The other industries are mainly
small-scale service and processing enterprises, some of which also use
local wood resources.
Recreation in the Waimakariri District
Waimakariri District offers a wide range of recreational opportunities.
It has sandy beaches, estuaries, river gorges and braided rivers, which
offer a range of opportunities for fishing, boating and rafting.