MātāwaiMātāwai is a small inland settlement in the Gisborne Region in the northeast of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the upper reaches of the Mōtū River, in the Raukumara Range.[1] It is on State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki.[2] The Matawai War Memorial Hall was opened in 1952, replacing a previous hall built in 1910. It was refurbished in 2016 to accommodate war rolls of honour from neighbouring communities.[3] ParksThe settlement's main reserve, Matawai Reserve, is a sports ground and local park.[4] MaraeThe local Mātāwai Marae and Tapapa meeting house is a meeting place of Te Aitanga ā Māhaki's hapū of Ngā Pōtiki, Ngāti Mātāwai, Ngāti Wahia and Te Whānau a Taupara.[5][6] In October 2020, the Government committed $812,548 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade it and Te Wainui Marae, creating 15.4 jobs.[7] EducationMatawai School is a Year 1–8 co-educational public primary school.[8] In 2019, it was a decile 4 school with a roll of 58.[9] The nearby Otoko School was closed in 1997.[3] Climate
Railway station Railway houses were built in 1912[11] and PWD started a train service in May 1913.[12] By 2 November 1914, when the Moutohora Branch officially opened from Otoko, Mātāwai station also had a building, platform, 30 ft (9.1 m) x 20 ft (6.1 m) goods shed, loading bank, cattle and sheep yards, engine shed, a 6,000 gallon water vat and a passing loop for 41 wagons, 43 mi 46 ch (70.1 km) from Gisborne. The branch was extended 4 mi 71 ch (7.9 km) to Moutohora in November 1917. Until 7 January 1918 there was a stationmaster. A house was added in 1921 and 2 more in 1942. The station closed with the branch on 15 March 1959.[11] References
 Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Matawai. 38°21′S 177°32′E / 38.350°S 177.533°E
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