Matakana
Matakana Wharf Reserve and Matakana River viewed from the village junction.
Coordinates: 36°21′6″S 174°43′0″E / 36.35167°S 174.71667°E / -36.35167; 174.71667
Country	New Zealand
Region	Auckland Region
Ward	Rodney ward
Local board	Rodney Local Board
Subdivision	Warkworth subdivision
Electorates	Kaipara ki Mahurangi Te Tai Tokerau
Government
• Territorial Authority	Auckland Council
• Mayor of Auckland	Wayne Brown
• Kaipara ki Mahurangi MP	Chris Penk
• Te Tai Tokerau MP	Mariameno Kapa-Kingi
Area [1]
• Total	1.60 km2 (0.62 sq mi)
Population  (June 2024)[2]
• Total	670
• Density	420/km2 (1,100/sq mi)

Matakana is a small town in the Rodney Ward of Auckland Council of New Zealand. Warkworth lies about 9 km (5½ miles) to the south-west, Snells Beach the same distance to the south, Ōmaha is about 7 km (4¼ miles) to the east, and Leigh about 13 km (8 miles) to the north-east. The Matakana River flows through the town and into Kawau Bay to the south-east.^[3][4]

The surrounding area contains several vineyards and breweries,^[5] developing a name for pinot gris, merlot, syrah and a host of obscure varietals.^[6] Offering 'a slice of rural community life', the area offers craft outlets, markets, boutique stores, and country cafes.^[7] The reasonable proximity to Auckland (around one hour's drive off-peak^[8]) has led to the region becoming a trendy getaway spot for foodie Aucklanders.^[9]

Māori inhabitants of the area were from Ngāti Raupo, a hapū of Te Kawerau, Ngāti Manuhiri) and Ngāti Rongo.^[10] Crown purchases started in 1841 with the Mahurangi Purchase, described by the Waitangi Tribunal as, "a crazy quilt of multiple and overlapping transactions".^[11] Loggers then moved in to fell the kauri and other timber. George Darroch had a large shipyard building timber ships by 1852,^[11] which continued for over 50 years.^[12] 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.^[10] Matakana Dairy Factory opened in December 1902;^[13] the building is now a shop.^[10] A shark oil factory opened in 1905^[14] and continued till at least 1921^[15] and the industry longer.^[16] Electricity came to Matakana in 1936.^[10]

Matakana's First World War Memorial is a listed landmark^[17] 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.^[18] 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.^[19]

The memorial features an early statue of George V that was sculpted from Oamaru stone by a New Zealand sculptor, William Henry Feldon.^[20] Instead of ordering a sculpted figure from overseas, which soldier and politician Sir James Allen recommended at the time,^[21] local subscribers commissioned Feldon for the memorials in Matakana, Papakura,^[22] Helensville,^[23] Mercer,^[24] Ōtāhuhu, and the Arawa Memorial in Rotorua.^[25] For a small community of 313,^[26] 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.^[17]

Matakana's local militia unit became a troop of the Auckland Mounted Rifles.^[27] Feldon was the Brigade major of the Auckland Mounted Rifles.^[28] 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.^[29]

Statistics New Zealand describes Matakana as a rural settlement, which covers 1.60 km² (0.62 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 670 as of June 2024,^[2] with a population density of 419 people per km². Matakana is part of the larger Dome Valley-Matakana statistical area.

Matakana had a population of 570 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (15.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 252 people (79.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 270 males and 300 females in 225 dwellings.^[36] 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 48.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 117 people (20.5%) aged under 15 years, 48 (8.4%) aged 15 to 29, 255 (44.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 150 (26.3%) aged 65 or older.^[35]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.1% European (Pākehā); 7.9% Māori; 2.6% Pasifika; 4.2% Asian; 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.9%, Māori language by 1.1%, Samoan by 1.1%, and other languages by 8.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.1% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 24.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 30.0% Christian, 1.6% Hindu, 0.5% Islam, 0.5% Buddhist, 1.1% New Age, 0.5% Jewish, and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 59.5%, and 6.3% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 114 (25.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 234 (51.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 69 (15.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $48,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 81 people (17.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 201 (44.4%) people were employed full-time, 87 (19.2%) were part-time, and 9 (2.0%) were unemployed.^[35]

Dome Valley-Matakana statistical area, which includes Dome Valley and Rainbows End, covers 84.76 km² (32.73 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 1,780 as of June 2024,^[37] with a population density of 21 people per km².

Dome Valley-Matakana had a population of 1,641 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 111 people (7.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 357 people (27.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 819 males, 822 females and 3 people of other genders in 603 dwellings.^[40] 2.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 47.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 300 people (18.3%) aged under 15 years, 204 (12.4%) aged 15 to 29, 765 (46.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 372 (22.7%) aged 65 or older.^[39]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.5% European (Pākehā); 10.4% Māori; 2.4% Pasifika; 4.2% Asian; 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.0%, Māori language by 2.4%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 10.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 23.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 26.1% Christian, 0.5% Hindu, 0.4% Islam, 0.7% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.7% New Age, 0.2% Jewish, and 0.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 63.8%, and 6.8% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 327 (24.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 663 (49.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 252 (18.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $42,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 228 people (17.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 609 (45.4%) people were employed full-time, 279 (20.8%) were part-time, and 33 (2.5%) were unemployed.^[39]

The Matakana Diamond Jubilee Park opened in 1897.^[41]

Matakana Annual Races and Sports. There was a horse racing track in the heart of Matakana township, laid out on Dr Cruickshank’s property, with meetings held on New Year’s Day and Easter Monday (approx. 1870 to 1897). The meetings incorporated an Athletics element as well as horse racing. The area is now The Diamond Jubilee Park, which opened subsequent to the abandonment of the racetrack and to celebrate Queen Victoria’s 60 years on the throne.^[41]

Initially the Park was used for A&P Shows (1898), Rugby, cricket, hockey and tennis.

Matakana Cricket Club moved to the Park when it opened and was famous for its Boxing Day cricket matches

Tennis courts were established in the 1920s

The ex Kawau Island schoolroom from Matakana School was moved onto the Park behind the tennis courts, in the early 1960s. Scouts and Guides ran from there and held a lease until 2003. On the 4th of November 2008 the building now in disrepair was control burned by the Matakana Fire Brigade

Rugby and hockey were played until the 1960s

Soccer was played by school children during the winter season at the souther end. Records exist with council of this until 1996

The Matakana Pony Club met for the first time in 1977 with a September to April Season.

The Pony club and sports clubs shared the Park

By 2018 the area behind the tennis courts had fallen into disrepair and were effectively abandoned. This area was not level and often plagued by ponds that would form in the winter making it unusable most of the year.

Council funded the removal of the existing abandoned yards and also flattened the area making it more functional as a community space. The Pony club funded the rebuild of the yards nearer to their clubhouse to help free up space.

To further the development of the Matakana Open Space Study and gain community commentary on the future use of Matakana Jubilee Park, Auckland Council led a consultation process with the general public culminating in the report REGIONAL OPEN SPACE STUDY + ENHANCEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

The purpose of the consultation was to present to the community a series of options for Matakana Jubilee Park, and spark discussion and commentary about what future vision of the park is preferred across the community. Materials were presented to the wider-public for feedback. These included three options for Matakana Jubilee Park, each differing in programme and space allowances for different activities.^[42]

in 2020 A lease that formalises shared use of the Diamond Jubilee Park in Matakana between the village pony club and the wider community was granted by Rodney Local Board.^[43]

Matakana School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 338 students as of August 2024.^[45][46] The school was established in 1862.^[47]

Matakana hosts many varied events throughout the year. The Matakana Farmers' Market is held every Saturday.^[48] Matakana War Memorial - ANZAC Day Service - 10am

• Jacobs, Lauraine (2021). It Takes a Village: a Guide to Matakana and Its Surrounding Districts. Massey University Press. ISBN 978-0-9951431-0-4.

• Matakana Village retail development website
• Matakana War Memorial
• Matakana Cemetery
• 1:50,000 map
• 1942 one inch map