Rangataua
| Rangataua | |
|---|---|
| Country |
 New Zealand
|
| Region | Manawatu-Wanganui |
| Territorial Authority | Ruapehu District |
| Ward | Waimarino-Waiouru |
| Population (2006 Census) | |
| • Total | 1,344 (Tangiwai Statistical District) |
| Time zone | NZST (UTC+12) |
| • Summer (DST) | NZDT (UTC+13) |
| Postcode | 4691 |
| Area code(s) | 06 |
Rangataua is a small village in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the southern end of both the Tongariro National Park and Rangataua State Forest, adjacent to the southwestern slopes of the active volcano Mount Ruapehu. Part of the Manawatu-Wanganui region, the town is 5 kilometres east of Ohakune, 75 kilometres northeast of Wanganui, and 20 kilometres west of Waiouru.
The town's population is 1344 (2006 census). This number includes the region immediately around Rangataua, with the exception of Ohakune, Raetihi and Waiouru. A reasonable estimate of the actual population of the village itself is 50 permanent inhabitants. The village's permanent population work in the nearby region with much of the seasonal population working at the Turoa Skifield.
Rangataua contains many properties that are owned as holiday villas or baches usually used for skiing at the nearby Turoa Skifield.
State Highway 49 runs immediately adjacent to the village, as does the North Island Main Trunk Railway. There is no station and all passenger rail traffic uses the railway station at Ohakune.
The name Rangataua comes from two Māori words: Ranga - to parade in ranks; to fall in, and taua - war party. Rangataua was the site of a Māori village. In the mid seventeenth century this village was attacked and subsequently destroyed. The survivors of the attack established a Pā on the site of present-day Ohakune.
The Raetihi Forest Fire of March 19–20, 1918 almost destroyed Rangataua. Many houses and sawmills were burnt down. Fires had previously threatened the town in January 1914.
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