Rangiriri


Rangiriri is a rural community in the Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the Waikato River near Lake Waikare in the Waikato District. State Highway 1 now bypasses Rangiriri.
Rangiriri was the site of a major Māori defence structure during the time of the Invasion of the Waikato, the major campaign of the New Zealand Wars. The Battle of Rangiriri, which took place on 20–21 November 1863, cost both sides more than any other engagement of the land wars and also resulted in the capture of 183 Māori prisoners, which impacted on their subsequent ability to oppose the far bigger British force.
As part of work on the Waikato Expressway, the NZ Transport Agency has restored a pā site that straddled State Highway 1; the work was completed for the 150th anniversary of the battle.
Rangiriri has two marae belonging to the Waikato Tainui hapū of Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Naho, Ngāti Pou and Ngāti Taratikitiki: Horahora Marae and Te Whare i Whakaarohia meeting house, and Maurea Marae and Ngā Tumutumu o Rauwhitu meeting house. Both are located on the western side of the Waikato River.

Bridge

To replace a punt, which had been operating since at least 1900, a timber truss bridge, with ferro-concrete piles, was started in 1915 and probably opened in 1917. It partly collapsed, but was strengthened to allow light traffic. Demolition of the old bridge cost $30,000.
About 1969 a single-lane replacement, designed by Murray-North Partners, was built downstream for £204,800. It is long, with 8 spans, 6 of. The 2-cell H-section box girder is formed of 3 prestressed, post-tensioned segmented concrete flanged beams. The design was the first in this country to combine precast units into a continuous box girder.
In 2019 it carried about 1,640 vehicles a day on Glen Murray Rd.

Education

Rangiriri School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of as of.