director, and producer of films and teleplays, as well as Chief Executive/Kaihautū of Te Māngai Pāho, grew up in Raetihi. In 1986 his New Zealand comedy starring Billy T. James, Came a Hot Friday (directed by Ian Mune), premiered there. For Without a Paddle (2004; Steven Brill), an American film featuring Burt Reynolds, local traffic signs were replaced with American-style signs and cars drove on local roads as though in the United States. Raetihi also provided the closest access point for several scenes in Vincent Ward's River Queen (2005); Horopito, setting for much of Smash Palace (1981; Roger Donaldson), another New Zealand film, is also nearby. Timeline 1892 – Raetihi is founded through the government purchase of the Waimarino Block. Until the Main Trunk Line in completed in 1907, Raetihi is accessible mainly via the Whanganui River and horse and dray from Pipiriki. 1896 – Raetihi School opens – with a roll of 36. Mr W. Hird, of Nelson is first principal. 1900 – Raetihi is the largest centre of the King Country with almost 4,500 people. 1903 – co-operative dairy company established. 1911 – The double-fronted Bank of New Zealand building opens on 17 March under the management of TM Butts, on its current Seddon Street site. 1915 – Royal Theatre Opens in lower Seddon Street 1917 – Railway branch line reaches Raetihi. 1918, 18 March – The 'Great Fire' – about 200 houses were destroyed. 1918 – Influenza epidemic. Marae In addition to an Rātana Church, there are six marae or marae grounds in the Raetihi area associated with local iwi and hapū: Mākaranui Marae is affiliated with Ngāti Uenuku. Mangamingi Marae and Tamakana meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Uenuku. Marangai Marae is affiliated with the Ngāti Rangi hapū of Uenukumanawawiri. Mō te Katoa Marae and Motekatoa meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Rangi hapū of Ngāti Patutokotoko and Uenukumanawawiri, and with Ngāti Uenuku. Raetihi Marae and Ko te Whakaarotahi ki te Whakapono meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Rangi hapū of Uenukumanawawiri and with Ngāti Uenuku. Tuhi Ariki Marae and Tuhi Ariki|Tuhi Ariki meeting house are affiliated with the Ngāti Rangi hapū of Ngāi Tuhi Ariki. In October 2020, the Government committed $1,076,297 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade a group of 7 marae in the region, including Mākaranui Marae, Mangamingi Marae and Raetihi Marae, creating 129 jobs. Demographics Raetihi, which covers ,