Rakauhauka, Southland Map

About Rakauhauka, Southland

Rakauhauka is a locality in the Southland Region of New Zealand. It sits at an elevation of around 34 m above sea level. It lies approximately 14 km north-east of Invercargill, the regional capital. Rakauhauka is located at 46.3167°S, 168.4833°E. It observes New Zealand Time (NZST/NZDT).

Rakauhauka rests within a broad expanse of Southland's fertile plains, a landscape shaped by millennia of glacial retreat and riverine action. It lies 13.8 km north-east of Invercargill (from Invercargill: bearing 48°T), and is situated 12.4 km north-east of Rosedale. Here, the land rolls gently, a patchwork of verdant pasture and occasional stands of native bush, their dark green a stark contrast against the pale blue of the sky. The air, crisp and often carrying the scent of damp earth, speaks of an inland existence, far from the salty tang of the coast. To the north, the land subtly rises, hinting at the distant, though not immediately visible, Heale Ridge. Closer by, the Makarewa River, a ribbon of grey-brown water, carves its steady course, its banks often fringed with willow and tussock, a testament to the region’s agricultural heart. Lake Bennett, a placid mirror a few kilometres distant, reflects the wide, ever-changing skies.

The history of Rakauhauka is interwoven with the pastoral traditions of Southland, a story of settlers who tamed this rich land for sheep and beef farming. The economic pulse of Rakauhauka still beats to the rhythm of the agricultural calendar, with the hum of tractors and the distant bleating of sheep a constant soundtrack. While forestry has also played a role, its presence more pronounced towards the Hokonui Forest to the east, the primary character of Rakauhauka remains that of a working rural locality. Evidence of its past can be found in the weathered farm gates and the sturdy, no-nonsense architecture of its homesteads, buildings that have weathered many a Southland season. It is a place where the pace of life is dictated by the land and the seasons, a quiet persistence in the face of the elements.

About This Rakauhauka Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Rakauhauka, Southland, New Zealand — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: -46.31667, 168.48333. Live weather conditions with current observations and a 7-day forecast are powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time New Zealand and world news feeds keep the page current, while an editorial description provides background on Rakauhauka.

Rakauhauka sits within the Southland Region. Location data is drawn from the GeoNames geographical database and verified by coordinates, ensuring the correct Rakauhauka is identified even where the name is shared across multiple New Zealand localities.