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LOCAL BUSINESSES "We’ve Got the Whole World Covered"Promoting businesses and towns in the SH1 Business DirectoryLet Ronnie B help your business ... click here SH1 DIRECTORIESRegional DirectoriesSH1 BUSINESS STORIES
SH1 BUSINESS CATEGORIES(Click a business category to find the phone, address and contact details of the type of business or trade you require). FEATURED PEOPLEDIRECTORY PUBLICATIONS
CONTACTRon E Bishop
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Let's Spend Some Time In RakaiaAs we travel along SH1 we like to take time out to meet the business people and see what they have to offer the travelling public. Meet the first Rakaia businesses that volunteered to help us promote their town. |
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When you travel over the Rakaia River Bridge you certainly don’t have time to stop and read the words on the plaque. I risked my life by leaning over the rail to record them for you.. Rakaia Bridge length 5,762 feet opened by Hon R Semple Minister of Public Works 25th March 1939. If the Rakaia Bridge is the longest bridge in NZ the railway bridge alongside it must be the second longest. For more info on the Rakaia bridge click here.
Hand Made Crafts.
There are two Four Square Stores in Rakaia but only one that also has a Variety Gift department on Elizabeth Avenue.
Rakaia Foodstore was started in 1986 by Audrey Cromie and her daughter Adrienne. They first traded with Rattrays under a well known grocery name at the time called Price Cutter before changing to Four Square.
The store has moved on from just general groceries. It now stocks beer and wine and prides itself in selling real home made baking.
In 2007 the store took over the butchers shop and turned it into a gift shop. They call it Avenue Gifts and it would have to be one of the best little gift shops I have seen. The prices are very reasonable with many gifts under $10. They also sell plants and fresh flowers. The Rakaia Foodstore is more than just another grocery store, it's a whole new shopping experience with heaps of discounts. You will find them in Elizabeth Street over the railway line just a stones throw from State Highway One. Free Advertising Advice Advertising is an expensive business and a very costly one if you get it wrong. For all types of advertising it costs you nothing to ask me for my independent advice.
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If you think the bridge is big then you want to see the size of the fish that swim in the river below. Rakaia is named the Salmon capital of New Zealand with the river yielding both salmon and trout. For more information on Rakaia click here
The road rail bridge before current road bridge was built. This photograph can be viewed in the Dining Room of the Railway Tavern which is situated just over the railway line.
The Railway Hotel Built in 1873 this historic hotel is known a the fisherman’s pub because it is where the weigh in of all the big fish takes place. Chris and Julie Smith are the current Proprietors of the Railway Tavern in Rakaia. It hasn’t always been a tavern. When it was first built in 1973 it had 9 accommodation rooms. In the early 90’s it closed the accommodation and expanded the social area. There are 2 pool tables and a cosy little area for those who like to have a flutter on the pokies. Chris and Julia like to support the local sports teams. They sponsor the Rakaia Rugby Club and organise the local fishing competitions. They are great supporters of the Canterbury rugby team and have on display some interesting memorabilia. There walls are covered in a collage of photos and what took my eye was an All Black jersey in a frame signed by Robbie Deans and Alan Hewson. A 35 pound salmon caught by West Coaster Bill Austin in 1994 sits with pride in the Tavern where it was weighed in. The Tavern encourages its customers it have a wee gamble on tipping the score of sports competitions. Some 80 odd people are registered in the tipping competition. Pool competitions are also a popular social pastime in the Railway Tavern. There are Bristo Meals and Pizzas for those who just want a snack. The Tavern also has a secluded dining room to enjoy a pleasant meal with family and friends. Railway Tavern serving the people of Mid Canterbury for over 130 years. Let’s Promote Rakaia Online It is with pleasure that we are able to offer all the Rakaia businesses and other organisations in the township an excellent opportunity promote themselves and their community together online. With enough local support we can build what will become their very own Rakaia Online Directory. Register
Online Now SH1 Directories Phone (03) 686 1271 |
The Longest Highway Bridge in New Zealand.
The plaque on side of this bridge reads. Rakaia Bridge erected by Main Highways Board. I Wood Chairman A J Baker, M H Wynyard, C J Talbot, W Morrison, J W Scott, Members, C W Albertson Engineer, C W Knapp Secretary, F Lancreine, District Engineer, C W Turner Designing Engineer. If you don’t know these people then this is useless information and we don’t recommend that you try reading the plaque from the car window. Chapman Motors Motor vehicles and motor bikes have long replaced the horse and cart that once crossed the Rakaia river. On the southern side of the bridge Chapmans Garage have been servicing the transport needs of the traveller and the farming community for over 30 years. David Chapman seen in the middle of the photo commenced his apprenticeship in 1976 under the watchful eye of Laurie Crombie. When I called on Dave he was passing on that mechanical knowledge to another up and coming apprentice Chris Cayanan seen standing by the front motorbike. Standing by the bike at the back is A Grade Mechanic Peter Woods, a long standing reliable employee of the company.
Motorbike sales and service have become an important part of Chapman's Garage with a 50% split between farm bikes and dirt bikes. They have small children’s bikes from 50cc up to the more powerful 450cc machines. The Kawasaki agents are able to supply a good range of Motorcycle apparel and accessories.
Chapman's Garage are agents for the popular Kumho Tyres. The company is fully qualified and equipped to give Warrant of Fitness's. There are 3 Hoists in the Garage and the staff of 4 are all willing and able to give you excellent service.
If you are a farmer and unable to leave the farm Chapmans will come to you and service your vehicles without you needing to leave the farm. Chapmans Kawasaki Phone 302 7156 or 302 7476 |
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Ron E Bishop
