Matamata

2025-10-07T08:10:34Z

2405:6E00:291:706D:5C7F:9A1:6E3D:CACF: /* Climate */

{{About||names related to Matamata|Matamata, New Zealand (disambiguation)|the settlement in Brunei|Mata-Mata, Brunei|the turtle|mata mata}}
{{short description|Town in Waikato, New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Matamata
|image_skyline = Matamata i-SITE.jpg
|image_caption = Matamata information centre
|image_map = {{Infobox mapframe|zoom=9}}
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = New Zealand
|subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Waikato]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Matamata-Piako District]]
|subdivision_type3 = Ward
|subdivision_name3 = Matamata General Ward
|seat_type = [[New Zealand electorates|Electorates]]
|seat = {{ubl|[[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato]]|[[Hauraki-Waikato]] (Māori)}}
|pushpin_map = New Zealand
|leader_title = Territorial Authority
|leader_name = [[Matamata-Piako District Council]]
|leader_title1 = Regional council
|leader_name1 = [[Waikato Regional Council]]
|leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Matamata-Piako]]
|leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Matamata-Piako District Mayor|y}}
|leader_title3 = [[Waikato (New Zealand electorate)|Waikato MP]]
|leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Waikato MP|y}}
|leader_title4 = [[Hauraki-Waikato|Hauraki-Waikato MP]]
|leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Hauraki-Waikato MP|y}}
|area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/>
|area_total_km2 = 9.59
|elevation_m = 63
|population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
|population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}
|population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Matamata|y}}
|population_density_km2 = auto
|postal_code_type = Postcode
|timezone = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]]
|utc_offset = +12
|timezone_DST = NZDT
|utc_offset_DST = +13
|postal_code = 3400
|area_code = 07
|coordinates = {{coord|37|49|S|175|46|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Matamata''' ({{IPAc-mi|lang|ˈ|m|a|t|a|ˌ|m|a|t|a}}) is a town in [[Waikato]], [[New Zealand]]. It is located near the base of the [[Kaimai Ranges]], and is a thriving farming area known for [[Thoroughbred]] horse breeding and training pursuits. It is part of the [[Matamata-Piako District]], which takes in the surrounding rural areas, as well as [[Morrinsville]] and [[Te Aroha]]. State Highway 27 and the Kinleith Branch railway run through the town. The town has a population of {{NZ population data 2018||y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||.}}

A nearby farm was the location for the [[Hobbiton Movie Set]] in [[Peter Jackson|Peter Jackson's]] ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The New Zealand government decided to leave the Hobbit holes built on location as tourist attractions. During the period between the filming of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'' and ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'' they had no furniture or props, but could be entered with vistas of the farm viewed from inside them.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.exploring.co.nz/North_Island/Waikato/Matamata/ |title= Matamata Area Guide |access-date= 7 January 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090217021521/http://www.exploring.co.nz/North_Island/Waikato/Matamata/ |archive-date= 17 February 2009 |url-status= dead }}</ref> A "Welcome to Hobbiton" sign has been placed on the main road. In 2011, parts of Hobbiton began to close in preparation for the three new movies based on the first Tolkien novel, ''[[The Hobbit]]''.

==Demographics==
In 1876 Matamata had 7 [[homestead (building)|homesteads]] housing 40 European settlers.<ref name="threerivers">{{cite book |last1=Vennell |first1=C. W. |last2=More |first2=David |title=Land of the Three Rivers: A Centennial History of Piako County |date=1976 |publisher=Wilson & Horton}}</ref>{{RP|77}} In 1901 the Matamata Road Board had 300 residents, 50 dwellings, 60 rate payers and 80 rateable properties.<ref name="threerivers"/>{{RP|254}}

Matamata covers {{Convert|9.59|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Urban Rural 2023 (generalised)|access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Matamata|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Matamata|y}}|R}}/9.59|0}} people per km2.

{{Historical populations|2006|6,297|2013|7,260|2018|8,043|2023|9,132|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Matamata North (174900) and Matamata South (175000)}}</ref>|footnote=The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 6.16 km2.}}
[[File:EN-Hobbiton-Matamata-NZ-Attribution-Share-Alike25.jpg|thumb|right|Sign in Matamata identifying town as the location where the [[Hobbiton]] scenes from the ''Lord of the Rings'' [[Hobbiton Movie Set|were filmed]]]]
Matamata had a population of 9,132 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 1,089 people (13.5%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 1,872 people (25.8%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 4,386 males, 4,716 females and 27 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 3,696 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1179%2B174901%2B175001%2B175002.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 2.1% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 47.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,536 people (16.8%) aged under 15 years, 1,428 (15.6%) aged 15 to 29, 3,429 (37.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 2,742 (30.0%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 84.5% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 17.0% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 2.1% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 6.4% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.2%, Māori language by 3.0%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 7.4%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 18.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 32.7% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.2% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.3% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 1.3% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.8% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.3% [[New Age]], and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 53.4%, and 8.7% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 960 (12.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 4,248 (55.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 2,388 (31.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $35,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 555 people (7.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 3,384 (44.5%) people were employed full-time, 951 (12.5%) were part-time, and 141 (1.9%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1179.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Matamata (1179)}}</ref>

{{table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable defaultright col1left"
|+Individual statistical areas
|-
!Name !! Area (km2) !! Population !! Density (per km2) || Dwellings !! Median age !! Median income
|-
| Matamata North || 3.03 || 3,300 || 1,089 || 1,374 || 46.7 years || $35,800<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.174901.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Matamata North}}</ref>
|-
| Matamata West || 4.09 || 3,480 || 851 || 1,332 || 43.4 years || $36,100<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.175001.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Matamata West}}</ref>
|-
| Matamata East || 2.47 || 2,355 || 955 || 993 || 53.6 years || $34,300<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.175002.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Matamata East}}</ref>
|-
! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! style="text-align:right;"|38.1 years !! style="text-align:right;"| $41,500
|}

==Etymology==
The name ''Matamata'' was originally applied to a settlement near the Anglican mission at [[Waharoa, New Zealand|Waharoa]]. The name ''Matamata'' was used for [[Josiah Firth]]'s estate and as a town developed near the estate it took the name.<ref name="threerivers"/>{{RP|254}}
==History==
The first European thought to have visited the Matamata area was the trader [[Phillip Tapsell]] in about 1830.<ref name=TeAra>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/mi/1966/matamata 'MATAMATA', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966. Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 22 April 2009]</ref> In 1833 the Reverend [[Alfred Nesbit Brown]] visited the area and in 1835 opened a mission near Matamata Pa, but this closed the following year when intertribal warfare broke out.<ref name=TeAra/> In 1865 [[Josiah Firth]] negotiated with Ngāti Hauā leader [[Wiremu Tamihana]] and leased a large area of land, including the future site of the town which he named after the pā.<ref name=TeAra/> Firth constructed a [[Wagon|dray]] road to [[Cambridge, New Zealand|Cambridge]] and cleared the [[Waihou River]] so that it was navigable by his (small) boats.<ref name=TeAra/>

Firth's estate later failed and by 1904 had been wholly obtained by the Crown and was subdivided into dairy farm units<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1f7/firth-josiah-clifton D. B. Waterson. 'Firth, Josiah Clifton', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 18-Sep-2013]</ref> to take advantage of the new technology of refrigeration.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.nzjh.auckland.ac.nz/docs/1969/NZJH_03_1_04.pdf | journal = New Zealand Journal of History | year = 1969 | title = The Matamata Estate, 1904-1959: Land Transfers and Subdivision in the Waikato | first = D. B. | last = Waterson | volume = 3 | number = 1 | page = 36}}</ref> It became a dependent Town District in 1917, an independent Town District in 1919 and was constituted a borough in 1935.<ref name=TeAra/> With the re-organisation of territorial authorities in New Zealand in 1989, Matamata became part of the [[Matamata-Piako District]].<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1989/99.pdf|pages=2481–2482|title=Orders in Council for Local Government Reorganisation|chapter=Matamata-Piako District|publisher=New Zealand Government|date=13 June 1989}}</ref>

=== Railway station ===
[[File:Matamata_station.jpg|thumb|Plantations of oak, larch, chestnut and ash were established near many railway stations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Beautifying on the Railways — Activities Of The Railway Department. — Trees and Gardens. — Co-operation of Local Bodies and Clubs|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov12_03Rail-t1-body-d12.html|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-20|website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz}}</ref> Matamata’s is registered in Council’s District Plan for Hetana St.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matamata-Piako District Plan|url=http://www.mpdc.govt.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&layout=view&id=2645|access-date=31 May 2018|website=www.mpdc.govt.nz|language=en-gb}}</ref>]]
Matamata was a station on the [[Kinleith Branch]], from Monday 8 March 1886.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf|title=Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations|last=Scoble|first=Juliet|date=2010|website=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand}}</ref> It was built by Mr D Fallon for the Thames Valley & Rotorua Railway Co. [[New Zealand Railways Department]] took over the line on 1 April 1886.<ref name=":222">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Stations|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Heritage_listings.pdf|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-10|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en}}</ref> Initially 40 minutes north of the temporary terminus at [[Tīrau#Railway station|Oxford]] (Tirau) and about an hour from [[Morrinsville#Railway|Morrinsville]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAN18860529.2.53.4|title=Page 7 Advertisements Column 4|date=29 May 1886|work=Te Aroha News|access-date=31 May 2018|page=7}}</ref> For a while Matamata seems to have become a [[Request stop|flag station]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc02Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d3-d39.html|title=Matamata|date=1902|website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A-QkAQAAIAAJ&q=matamata+railway+station&pg=PA110|title=Parliamentary Debates|last=Representatives|first=New Zealand Parliament House of|date=1908|language=en}}</ref> though it did have cattle yards and a {{Convert|60|ft|abbr=on}} by {{Convert|30|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=":222" /> a goods shed.{{cn|date=February 2025}} By 1886 it also had a coal shed able to hold 50 tons, a stationmaster's house, 2 cottages, urinals and a {{convert|20000|impgal|L|abbr=on}} brick water tank supplied by a {{Convert|60|ft|abbr=on}} diameter windpump from a well, which was deepened that year. By 1896 Matamata had gained a [[George Troup (architect)#Standard station designs|4th class station]], platform, cart approach and a [[passing loop]] for 32 wagons. A telephone came in 1912 and a verandah in 1914. Authority to shift the verandah at Avondale station to Matamata when new station is built, and re-erect, amount £35. House for stationmaster. Platform extended to 175 feet. To extend it to 300 feet will cost £90. Authority for £60 for platform extension. 1919 extension of the verandah have been authorised. In 1919 part of the old [[Drury railway station|Drury station]] building was erected as a luggage room at Matamata. Improvements are to be put in hand, estimated cost £6,000. Lighting of station and houses. 1927 Additional seating accommodation on platform. 1953 Approval for bicycle shed, estimated cost £90.<ref name=":222" /> There was a Post Office at the station until 1911.<ref name=":222" /> It had two members of staff from 1913.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1913/I/3693|title=Parliamentary Papers {{!}} Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives {{!}} 1913 Session I|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref> Matamata was included in the annual returns of railway traffic. For example, in 1924 it sold 26,367 tickets and exported 26,084 sheep and pigs.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1924|title=RAILWAYS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, HON. J.G. COATES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1924/I/2458?large_image=true|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-20|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> In 1950 8,868 tickets were sold and it transported 42,322 sheep and pigs.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1950/I/2366|title=Parliamentary Papers {{!}} Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives {{!}} 1950 Session I|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref> A petrol engined shunter was used in the station yard from 1936.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 Nov 1936|title=LOCAL AND GENERAL. THAMES STAR|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS19361111.2.7|url-status=|access-date=2021-04-20|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Several [[New Zealand TR class locomotive#Drewry Car Co|Drewry 0-4-0]] shunters were introduced in 1936.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New Zealand Rolling Stock Register|url=https://www.nzrsr.co.nz/view_page.php?page=4&search=false&sort=none&order=none|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.nzrsr.co.nz}}</ref>

The station building was replaced on Monday 17 May 1965 by a new £23,500 steel [[portal frame]] and [[Concrete masonry unit|block-work]] building, with a new platform and approach road from Hetana Street, built by Way & Works Branch staff. The old station was sold for removal by July 1967.<ref name=":222" />

Matamata closed to passengers on 12 November 1968,<ref name=":0" /> but reopened to serve the [[Geyserland Express]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inter-regional Rail service distances and times|url=http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1519&start=40|access-date=31 May 2018|website=www.bettertransport.org.nz|language=en-gb}}</ref> from 9 December 1991 until 7 October 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 Oct 2001|title=Passenger rail routes farewelled {{!}} NATIONAL News|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/423466/61068|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516170759/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/423466/61068|archive-date=16 May 2011}}</ref>

Since closure the station has been the ''Railside by the Green'' community centre since 2002,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.railsidematamata.co.nz/|title=home|website=www.railsidematamata.co.nz|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref> though it is fenced off from the platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://phillipoverton.blogspot.com/2013/12/matamata-new-zealands-re-cycled-station.html|title=Matamata: New Zealand's re-cycled Station|date=13 December 2013|website=Phillip Overton|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref> Occasional excursions still use the platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nzrailphotos.co.nz/photos/silver-fern-to-matamata/#lg=1&slide=9|title=Photos – Silver Fern to Matamata|website=nzrailphotos.co.nz|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gvr.co.nz/shop/RES+Excursions/Waikato+Explorer/Glenbrook+to+Matamata+&+Return/Glenbrook+to+Matamata++Return+Child.html|title=Glenbrook to Matamata & Return – Waikato Explorer – RES Excursions – Glenbrook Vintage Railway|website=www.gvr.co.nz|language=en|access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref>

{{s-start|noclear=yes}}
{{s-note|text=Former adjoining stations}}
{{Rail line|previous=[[Waharoa, New Zealand#Railway station|Waharoa]] Line open, station closed {{convert|3.75|km|abbr=on}}|next=[[Hinuera#Railway station|Hinuera]] Line open, station closed {{convert|7.91|km|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Yonge|first1=John Roger|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OsnRPgAACAAJ|title=New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas|date=1993|publisher=Quail Map Company|isbn=9780900609923|language=en}}</ref>|route=[[Kinleith Branch]]|col={{BR(E) colour}}}}
{{s-end}}

==Sports==
Matamata is home to the [[Matamata Swifts]] [[soccer]] team, who compete in the [[Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1|Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1A]].

==Educational institutions==
{{Main|List of schools in Waikato#Matamata-Piako District}}

[[Matamata College]] is the town's co-educational state secondary school,<ref name="official124">{{cite web |title=Matamata College Official School Website |url=http://www.matamatacollege.school.nz |website=matamatacollege.school.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe124">{{cite web |title=Matamata College Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=124 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|124|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|}}.<ref name="ero124">{{cite web |title=Matamata College Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=124 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref> It opened as Matamata District High School in 1918<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/search/card?id=7bbbef2d-d516-5639-a211-e0bc5c334b60&entityType=FormatGroup|title=Matamata College centenary : 1918 to 2018|publisher=Auckland Libraries [catalog entry]|access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref> with a new building and official opening in 1924.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast|title=New Building at Matamata - Opening by Minister|date=11 February 1924|page=9|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald}}</ref>

Matamata Intermediate is the town's co-educational state intermediate school,<ref name="official1812">{{cite web |title=Matamata Intermediate Official School Website |url=http://www.matamataintermediate.school.nz |website=matamataintermediate.school.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe1812">{{cite web |title=Matamata Intermediate Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1812 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1812|y}}.<ref name="ero1812">{{cite web |title=Matamata Intermediate Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1812 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref> Originally part of Matamata College, it became a separate school in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livingheritage.org.nz/Schools-Stories/Discovering-Matamata/The-history-of-Matamata-Intermediate|title=The history of Matamata Intermediate|publisher=Living Heritage|access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref>

There are two co-educational state primary schools: Matamata Primary School,<ref name="official1813">{{cite web |title=Matamata Primary School Official School Website |url=http://www.matamataprimary.school.nz |website=matamataprimary.school.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe1813">{{cite web |title=Matamata Primary School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1813 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1813|y}};<ref name="ero1813">{{cite web |title=Matamata Primary School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1813 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref> and Firth School,<ref name="moe1719">{{cite web |title=Firth School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1719 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1719|y}}.<ref name="ero1719">{{cite web |title=Firth School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1719 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref> Matamata Primary started as Matamata Public School in February 1900. It could accommodate up to 26 pupils and was enlarged after being destroyed by a fire in 1905 or 1906.<ref name="threerivers"/>{{RP|293–294}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.matamataprimary.school.nz/our-school-2/our-story-and-our-values/|title=Our Story|publisher=Matamata Primary School|access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref>

Matamata Christian School is a co-educational state integrated Christian primary school,<ref name="official1186">{{cite web |title=Matamata Christian School Official School Website |url=http://www.matamata.school.nz/ |website=matamata.school.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe1186">{{cite web |title=Matamata Christian School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1186 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1186|y}}.<ref name="ero1186">{{cite web |title=Matamata Christian School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1186 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref> It was founded in 1988 as Rainbow Park Christian School, and became state integrated in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.matamata.school.nz/friends/|title=Matamata Christian School|publisher=Matamata Christian School|access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref>

St Joseph's Catholic School is a co-educational state integrated Catholic school,<ref name="moe1947">{{cite web |title=St Joseph's Catholic School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=1947 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1947|y}}.<ref name="ero1947">{{cite web |title=St Joseph's Catholic School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=1947 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref> It opened in 1930.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/view/stjosephsmta|title=St Joseph's Catholic School, Matamata|publisher=St Joseph's Catholic School|access-date=4 April 2025}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Matamata College (Matamata New Zealand) aerial photo (probably 1940s).tif|Aerial view of Matamata College in the 1940s
File:Matamata College (Matamata, New Zealand) in 1946 postcard.tiff|Front of Matamata College in the 1950s
File:Postcard Matamata Public School.tif|Matamata Public School from around 1909
File:Public School Matamata (Smales' series 7).jpg|Matamata Public School around 1919
</gallery>

==Notable people==
* [[Kristine Crabb]]
* [[Shane Dye]]
* [[Claudia Pond Eyley]]
* [[Casey Kopua]]
* [[Michael Moroney (horseman)|Michael Moroney]]
* [[Dave O'Sullivan (horse trainer)|Dave O'Sullivan]] {{post-nominals|country=NZL|OBE|size=85%}}
* [[Paul O'Sullivan (horseman)|Paul O'Sullivan]]
* [[Lance O'Sullivan]] {{post-nominals|country=NZL|ONZM|size=85%}}
* [[Tim Mikkelson]]
* Hon [[Mike Rann]] CNZM
* [[Patsy Reddy|Dame Patsy Reddy]]
* [[Tom Sainsbury]]
* [[Matthew Stanley]]
* Dame [[Catherine Tizard]]
* [[Kyle Wealleans]]

==Nearby towns==
Smaller towns nearby are:
* [[Hinuera]]
* Peria
* Turanga-O-Moana
* [[Te Poi]]
* [[Waharoa, New Zealand|Waharoa]]
* [[Walton, New Zealand]]
* [[Wardville, New Zealand]]

==Climate==
Matamata features a mild [[oceanic climate]] ''(Cfb)'' with warmish summers and somewhat mild winters with cool nights, and moderate rainfall spread throughout the year. Rainfall peaks in winter and is the lowest in late summer.

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|location = Matamata (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1999–present)
| Jan record high C = 32.8
| Feb record high C = 32.5
| Mar record high C = 30.1
| Apr record high C = 27.8
| May record high C = 24.1
| Jun record high C = 20.6
| Jul record high C = 19.5
| Aug record high C = 21.8
| Sep record high C = 21.8
| Oct record high C = 24.9
| Nov record high C = 28.4
| Dec record high C = 29.0
| year record high C = 32.8
| Jan avg record high C = 28.7
| Feb avg record high C = 28.9
| Mar avg record high C = 27.3
| Apr avg record high C = 24.5
| May avg record high C = 21.8
| Jun avg record high C = 18.0
| Jul avg record high C = 17.1
| Aug avg record high C = 18.1
| Sep avg record high C = 19.9
| Oct avg record high C = 21.5
| Nov avg record high C = 24.7
| Dec avg record high C = 26.5
| year avg record high C = 29.6
|Jan high C = 24.4
|Feb high C = 25.0
|Mar high C = 23.2
|Apr high C = 20.1
|May high C = 17.1
|Jun high C = 14.2
|Jul high C = 13.6
|Aug high C = 14.6
|Sep high C = 16.0
|Oct high C = 17.9
|Nov high C = 20.0
|Dec high C = 22.3
| year high C =
|Jan mean C = 18.2
|Feb mean C = 18.7
|Mar mean C = 16.8
|Apr mean C = 14.2
|May mean C = 11.6
|Jun mean C = 9.1
|Jul mean C = 8.4
|Aug mean C = 9.3
|Sep mean C = 10.9
|Oct mean C = 12.6
|Nov mean C = 14.4
|Dec mean C = 16.8
| year mean C =
|Jan low C = 11.9
|Feb low C = 12.4
|Mar low C = 10.5
|Apr low C = 8.3
|May low C = 6.2
|Jun low C = 4.0
|Jul low C = 3.2
|Aug low C = 3.9
|Sep low C = 5.7
|Oct low C = 7.4
|Nov low C = 8.9
|Dec low C = 11.3
| year low C =
| Jan avg record low C = 6.4
| Feb avg record low C = 5.8
| Mar avg record low C = 4.5
| Apr avg record low C = 1.1
| May avg record low C = -1.1
| Jun avg record low C = -2.8
| Jul avg record low C = -3.4
| Aug avg record low C = -2.1
| Sep avg record low C = -0.9
| Oct avg record low C = 0.7
| Nov avg record low C = 2.4
| Dec avg record low C = 5.3
| year avg record low C = -4.2
|Jan record low C = 3.3
|Feb record low C = 2.7
|Mar record low C = 0.0
|Apr record low C = -4.3
|May record low C = -4.0
|Jun record low C = -5.3
|Jul record low C = -5.7
|Aug record low C = -5.0
|Sep record low C = -2.9
|Oct record low C = -2.4
|Nov record low C = 0.5
|Dec record low C = 3.3
|year record low C = -5.7
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 81.9
|Feb rain mm = 59.0
|Mar rain mm = 58.8
|Apr rain mm = 98.1
|May rain mm = 108.5
|Jun rain mm = 104.7
|Jul rain mm = 98.4
|Aug rain mm = 83.8
|Sep rain mm = 105.5
|Oct rain mm = 81.9
|Nov rain mm = 76.4
|Dec rain mm = 114.1
|year rain mm =
|source 1 = NIWA<ref name= NIWA>
{{cite web
|url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz
|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Matamata, Hinuera Ews
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 17030)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 20 Jul 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/monthly
|title = Monthly climate summaries from December 2001 to the present.
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 13 Jul 2025}}</ref>
}}

== See also ==
* [[List of towns in New Zealand]]
* [[List of reduplicated New Zealand place names]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Matamata-Piako District}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Matamata| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Waikato]]

Vero - Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Matamata