The electorate straddles State Highway 1 through Bulls, Marton, Taihape, and Waiouru as far as Mount Ruapehu Its largest centre is Feilding.

Its western boundary, from south of Whanganui, extends northwards to include the communities of Ohakune, National Park, and Taumarunui.

One in ten (10.0%) stated their highest qualification as a Level 2 certificate, the fourth-largest share among general electorates.

One in ten (10.4%) also listed their occupation as a community and personal service worker, the fifth-largest percentage.

Six industries accounted for close to two-thirds (61.3%) of those working in 2013: agriculture, forestry, and fishing (16.8%); manufacturing (9.3%); education and training (9.0%); public administration (8.9%); health care and social assistance (8.9%); and retail trade (8.4%).

[2] A seat named Wanganui and Rangitikei was contested at the very first general election in New Zealand in 1853.

The current boundaries of the seat date from the introduction of mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting in 1996.

Key Independent Conservative Liberal Reform Labour National Social Credit Members of Parliament elected from party lists in elections where that person also unsuccessfully contested the Rangitīkei electorate.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.

Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.