The Rangitīkei lifestyle centres around the small service towns of Marton, Taihape, Bulls, Hunterville and Mangaweka – icons of rural New Zealand. 14,019 (Census 2013) people usually live in the Rangitīkei district and its population ranks 48th in size out of the 67 districts in New Zealand comprising of a land area of 4,479.42 km². As part of the Rangitīkei experience you can have it all – from excellent education facilities to heritage houses and gardens, café culture, bungy jumping to fly-fishing or shopping centres. Its central location means easy access to Whanganui and Palmerston North and only a couple of hours to Mt Ruapehu or Wellington. The Rangitīkei district is enriched by the Māori culture of four distinct tribal collectives and, particularly in Marton, there is a high Samoan population. While the Rangitīkei economy is based on agriculture it includes a variety of successful innovative industries which make the most of their strategic locations. Rangitīkei District Council is a forward thinking district council that promotes growth and development in the Rangitīkei region.