Matakana is a small town in the Rodney Ward of Auckland Council of New Zealand. Warkworth lies about 9 km to the south-west, Snells Beach the same distance to the south, Omaha is about 7 km to the east, and Leigh about 13 km to the north-east. The Matakana River flows through the town and into Kawau Bay to the south-east. The surrounding area contains several vineyards and breweries, developing a name for pinot gris, merlot, syrah and a host of obscure varietals. Offering 'a slice of rural community life', the area offers craft outlets, markets, boutique stores, and country cafes. The reasonable proximity to Auckland has led to the region becoming a trendy getaway spot for foodie Aucklanders. Lonely Planet describes the village:
"Around 15 years ago, Matakana was a nondescript rural village with a handful of heritage buildings and an old-fashioned country pub. Now the locals watch bemused as Auckland’s chattering classes idle away the hours in stylish wine bars and cafes."
From 2018, it is served by 7 buses a day between Warkworth and Omaha. From 2013 it had 5 buses a day and is also served by Mahu City Express. Matakana has had a bus since at least 1930, including buses to Auckland.
History
Māori inhabitants of the area were from Ngāti Raupo, a hapu of Te Kawerau, Ngāti Manuhiri) and Ngāti Rongo. Crown purchases started in 1841 with the Mahurangi Purchase, described by the Waitangi Tribunal as, "a crazy quilt ofmultiple and overlapping transactions". Loggers then moved in to fell the kauri and other timber. George Darroch had a large shipyard building timber ships by 1852, which continued for over 50 years. By 1853 John Heyd'n's sawmill was at the falls on the Matakana river. Flax was also harvested. Matakana's first public building, the Presbyterian School and church, opened in 1864. By 1881, Matakana had about 150 people and most of the bush had been cut. Agriculture replaced it, especially fruit. Matakana Dairy Factory opened in December 1902; the building is now a shop. A shark oil factory opened in 1905 and continued till at least 1921 and the industry longer. Electricity came to Matakana in 1936.
Matakana War Memorial
The Matakana War Memorial is dedicated to thirteen men from the district who lost their lives in the First World War. The memorial was unveiled on 24 April 1920 by Joseph Gordon Coates, making it the first statue memorial unveiled in New Zealand following the 1918 armistice. Following restoration of the memorial, on 24 April 2000 another plaque dedicated the memorial to seven men from the district who died in the Second World War. The memorial is unique as it features the first sculpture of George V in the world, is sculpted from Oamaru stone, and by a New Zealand sculptor, William Henry Feldon. Instead of ordering a sculpted figure from overseas, which soldier and politician Sir James Allen recommended at the time, local subscribers commissioned Feldon for the memorials in Matakana, Papakura, Helensville, Mercer, Otahuhu, and the Arawa Memorial in Rotorua. For a small community of 313, Matakana suffered a fatality rate twice the national rate. The memorial was sited prominently on donated land at the town junction next to the wharf where the servicemen were fare welled. Matakana's local militia unit became a troop of the Auckland Mounted Rifles. Feldon was the Brigade major of the Auckland Mounted Rifles. The theme of the statue has George V in field marshal cavalry full dress uniform. In the statue's right hand is a scroll signifying the King's Proclamation of 7 November 1918 calling for two minute's silence, in the left hand is an Auckland Mounted Rifles sword prepared to be raised in victory. The statue has been vandalised and restored several times. In 2006 the memorial was moved from its original location on the corner of Matakana Wharf Road and Matakana Road to a nearby site in the Matakana Wharf Reserve. The original site is now occupied by the 'usable art' Matakana Toilets.'s ss Kotiki at Matakana Wharf in 1909. A passenger service from Auckland continued until 1938 and cargo until 1945. A sightseeing cruise now operates from the wharf
Demographics
The population of Matakana itself was about 405 in the 2018 census. The statistical area of Dome Valley-Matakana, which at 85 square kilometres is larger than the town, had a population of 1,530 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 246 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 408 people since the 2006 census. There were 546 households. There were 759 males and 771 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female. The median age was 46.6 years, with 306 people aged under 15 years, 189 aged 15 to 29, 726 aged 30 to 64, and 312 aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 93.7% European/Pākehā, 8.4% Māori, 1.8% Pacific peoples, 3.9% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. The proportion of people born overseas was 24.1%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 64.1% had no religion, 26.5% were Christian, and 2.5% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 336 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 180 people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,900. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 570 people were employed full-time, 240 were part-time, and 33 were unemployed.
Education
Matakana School is a coeducational contributing primary school with a roll of students as of The school was established in 1862.
Events
Matakana hosts many varied events throughout the year. The Matakana Farmers' Market is held every Saturday. Matakana School Gala is an annual event which attracts thousands from the surrounding district.
