Matakana

Matakana
Matakana
Coordinates: 36°21′6″S 174°43′0″E / 36.35167°S 174.71667°E / -36.35167; 174.71667Coordinates: 36°21′6″S 174°43′0″E / 36.35167°S 174.71667°E / -36.35167; 174.71667
Country New Zealand
Region Auckland Region
District Rodney District

Matakana is a small town in the Rodney District 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.[1][2]

The surrounding area contains several vineyards.[3] It is also known for its farmers' market, cinema, cafes, restaurants and boutique food-shops.[4] The reasonable proximity to Auckland (around one hour's drive away) has led to the region becoming a trendy getaway spot for foodie Aucklanders.[5]

From 2018[6] it is served by 7 buses a day between Warkworth and Omaha.[7] From 2013[8] it had 5 buses a day[9] and is also served by Mahu City Express.[10] Matakana has had a bus since at least 1930,[11] including buses to Auckland.[12]

History

Māori inhabitants of the area were from Ngāti Raupo, a hapu of Te Kawerau, Ngāti Manuhiri) and Ngāti Rongo.[13] Crown purchases started in 1841 with the Mahurangi Purchase, described by the Waitangi Tribunal as, "a crazy quilt of multiple and overlapping transactions".[14] Loggers then moved in to fell the kauri and other timber. George Darroch had a large shipyard building timber ships by 1852,[14] which continued for over 50 years.[15] 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.[13] Matakana Dairy Factory opened in December 1902;[16] the building is now a shop.[13] A shark oil factory opened in 1905[17] and continued till at least 1921[18] and the industry longer.[19] Electricity came to Matakana in 1936.[13]

The Matakana War Memorial is a cenotaph commemorating New Zealand servicemen from the Matakana area who died while serving during the First and Second World Wars.

Matakana War Memorial

The Matakana War Memorial commemorates fallen servicemen from around Matakana who served during the First and Second World Wars. It is dedicated to 13 men from the district who lost their lives in the First World War. After the Second World War another plaque was added listing six men from the district who died in that conflict.

The memorial is unique as it features a sculpture of George V, sculpted by New Zealand sculptor William Henry Feldon (1872-1945).[20] Instead of ordering a sculpted figure from overseas, which was a common practice in New Zealand at the time, soldier and politician Sir James Allen commissioned Feldon for memorials in Matakana, Helensville, Mercer,[21] and the Arawa Memorial in Rotorua.[22] The memorial was unveiled in 1920 but 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.

Northern Steamship Company's ss Kotiki (1898-1931)[23] at Matakana Wharf in 1909. A passenger service from Auckland continued until 1938[24] and cargo until 1945.[25] A sightseeing cruise now operates from the wharf[26]

Demographics

Matakana area unit is growing rapidly and becoming wealthier. It had these census results -[27]

Year Population Households Average income National average
2001 201 66 $17,900 $18,500
2006 249 81 $28,000 $24,100
2013 288 111 $31,000 $27,900

Education

Matakana School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a decile rating of 9 and a roll of 382.[28] The school was established in 1862.[29]

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. Music Mountain Matakana is a musical event held in the hills behind Matakana in late summer. The Matakana Seagull Raft Race is held on the Matakana River every November. Power for the rafts is provided by restored British Seagull outboard motors.

Notes

  1. ↑ Peter Dowling (editor) (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 11. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  2. ↑ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 31. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  3. ↑ "Matakana Coast Wineries & Breweries". Archived from the original on 2008-06-06. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  4. ↑ "Matakana Travel Guide". Jasons Travel Media.
  5. ↑ 'Under Matakana's Spell', Cuisine magazine. Archived 2007-12-18 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ Transport, Auckland. "Kowhai Connection". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  7. ↑ "Warkworth Kowhai Coast Northern Bus Timetable" (PDF). 30 September 2018.
  8. ↑ Transport, Auckland. "Innovative bus service for Warkworth and Matakana". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  9. ↑ Transport, Auckland. "Kowhai Connection". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  10. ↑ "MATAKANA EXPLORER BUS | Mahu City Express". Mahu City Express. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  11. ↑ "Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 1930-04-09)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  12. ↑ "Gubbs Motors bus for Leigh and Matakana". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. 1958. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Matakana Information Centre - History". www.matakanainfo.org.nz. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  14. 1 2 Rigby, Barry (August 1998). "THE CROWN, MAORI, AND MAHURANGI 1840-1881" (PDF). Waitangi Tribunal.
  15. ↑ "Darroch's Shipbuilding Yard, Omaha, North Auckland Showing the new three-masted scow Southern Isle". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. 10 May 1901. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  16. ↑ "opening of the new butter factory at Matakana". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. 18 December 1902. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  17. ↑ "SHARKING. (Auckland Star, 1906-01-31)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  18. ↑ "THE OLD SHARK FACTORY AT MATAKANA". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. 3 November 1921. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  19. ↑ "SHARKS AT MATAKANA. (New Zealand Herald, 1926-02-26)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  20. ↑ William Henry Feldon
  21. ↑
  22. ↑
  23. ↑ "Northern Steam Ship Company of Auckland - Vessel details". www.nzmaritimeindex.org.nz. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  24. ↑ "Page 10 Advertisements Column 5 (New Zealand Herald, 1938-12-17)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  25. ↑ "Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (New Zealand Herald, 1945-12-28)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  26. ↑ "Matakana River Tours". matakanarivertours.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  27. ↑ "2013 Census map – QuickStats about a place". archive.stats.govt.nz. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  28. ↑ "Te Kete Ipurangi - Matakana School". Ministry of Education.
  29. ↑ "Matakana School". Retrieved 2008-09-08.
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