Rangiora Courthouse

Location: 143 Percival Street, Rangiora

This is the only courthouse to be built in Rangiora. Constructed of brick and limestone, this building was opened in 1893 and became a 'growth industry'. On 24 September 2008 there were 103 cases set down to be heard.

It was designed to house the Magistrate's Court, which, until then, sat in the Rangiora and Mandeville Road Board office, which was on the site of the Graeme Smith Unichem Pharmacy in High Street.

The contract to build the dedicated courthouse was won by G Thompson for the sum of £717.

William Crichton, who worked in the Government Architect's Office and designed a very similar courthouse in Kaiapoi, is believed to have also designed this building.

The building was extended twice and served the needs of the district until it was closed in December 2011 for earthquake strengthening. The Ministry of Justice then made the decision to transfer Rangiora court services to the Christchurch District Court, and the Rangiora District Court was officially closed on 31 March 2014.

The courthouse was given Landmarks status in 2003. It has a Historic Place Category II registration.

Uncover the heritage of the Rangiora Courthouse.

Magistrate's Court Rangiora

Excerpts from Criminal Record Book 1864 – 1865
8 December 1864
(first ever entry)
Offence – Cutting timber on Crown land
Regina by Police vs E B WalkerPenaltyFined £1
 Summons fee2s 6p 
 Mileage18s
27 March 1865Offence – Assault
Regina by Police vs Paul BainPenaltyDismissed
 Prosecution to pay costs£1 15s 2p
27 March 1865Offence – Abusive language
Regina by Police vs R ChapmanPenaltyDismissed with caution
18 May 1865Offence – Rescuing cattle when lawfully seized for the purpose of being impounded
Regina by Police vs John WheelerPenaltyFined 5s
 Summons fee2s 6p
 Costs2s
1 June 1865Offence – Stealing timber from wreck
Regina by Police vs Tom HaymanPenaltyCommitted for trial
13 July 1865Offence – Having possession of an unregistered dog
Regina by Police vs J P KingPenaltyFined £1
 Summons fee2s 6p
 Mileage16s
13 July 1865Offence – Driving stage coach without a licence
Regina by Police vs E B WalkerPenaltyFined £2
 Summons fee2s 6p
9 October 1865Offence – Permitting stallion to cover in public place
Regina by Police vs James CooperPenaltyDismissed with a caution
15 October 1866Offence – Lunacy
Charles XXXX vs Martha XXXXPenaltyCommitted to lunatic asylum
  • Rangiora Courthouse - then
  • Rangiora Courthouse - now
  • Rangiora Courthouse - plaque