Heritage

Stories worth stopping for

Rangitīkei has produced its fair share of interesting characters.

One of the best known is Chris Amon, the Bulls-born racing driver who competed at the very top of international motorsport. He's memorial statue is placed along the Bulls main street. His story, along with plenty more from the district, is kept alive in Bulls and at the Bulls Museum.

Nearby, Flock House tells another chapter of our rural history. Established in the 1920s as an agricultural training farm, it initially trained the sons of British seamen killed or wounded during the First World War.

At Scott's Ferry, people, livestock, mail and freight once crossed the Rangitīkei River. The restored ferry remains near the historic crossing today - a reminder of just how important the river was to early transport and settlement.

We know a thing or two about bridges

When your district is cut through by rivers and gorges, you get pretty good at finding ways across them.

The historic Mangaweka Bridge, built in 1904, is New Zealand's first and only steel cantilever road bridge. Nearby, the Springvale Suspension Bridge has spanned the Rangitīkei River since the 1920s, originally connecting an isolated farming community with the outside world.

The Makohine Viaduct, south of Ōhingaiti, is an enduring reminder of the engineering required to push the North Island Main Trunk railway north. Rail went on to shape communities throughout northern Rangitīkei, particularly Mangaweka and Taihape.

Natural heritage

The towering papa cliffs of the Rangitīkei River are one of our defining sights.

Layers of pale sedimentary rock have been carved by the river into steep cliffs, terraces and deep valleys. The awe-inspiring papa cliffs are a wonder of nature and are visible along many stretches of our river and is easily accessed short drive off State Highway One.

Whitecliffs Boulders is also a must do stop. These incredible 2-3 million year old magical concretions boulders can be found amongst native forest. It's a short moderate 25 minute walk along a track or you can book a 4WD ride through Whitecliffs Boulders website.