RANGIORA Rangiora is a very prosperous satellite town of the Christchurch city and wider environs. Rangiora’s recent growth has been stymied by the rapid growth of Kiapoi some six kilometers to Christchurch. Over the last decade primarily owing to an ‘old’ town culture Rangiora is once more on a growth pass. Rangiora is the ‘perfect’ country town with all of the essential services and yet only 30 k’s from Christchurch. Rangiora is an independent locality and the citizens are proud of that individuality. Rangiora has convenient commercial structure where all business is for the most part carried out in the cbd. The highest official temperature ever recorded in New Zealand was 42.4°C (108.3°F) at Rangiora on 7 February 1973, and is generally one to two degrees warmer than other Canterbury towns. Rangiora has become a gateway for local wineries, and also boasts New Zealand's first and only commercial meadery. Rangiora produces mead made from pure New Zealand honey and this is exported to many countries. Being an old town Rangiora has a number of traditional hotels. Some great churches, particularly the Anglican Church. The Museum is open on Wednesday afternoon and weekends. The Rangiora War Memorial is a well presented tribute. The local school also has a ‘Lest We Forget’ monogram on the entry gates. Rangiora is a town where a visitor should allow at least half a day to absorb and enjoy.