rakaia

Farm-service township 30 km north-east of Ashburton. The town grew on the south bank after the Rakaia River was bridged in 1878. A leaping salmon sign on State Highway 1 tells travellers that it is a fishing centre.

Meaning of place name
Lit: Ranged in ranks. This is the South Island form of 'rangaia', and refers to the practise of strong men standing in line to break the force of the water when crossing a river.

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