Matakana

History

Māori inhabitants of the area were from Ngāti Raupo, a hapū 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 of multiple 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.{{Cite web|url=https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/175352|title= Showing the new three-masted scow Southern Isle ready for launching at Matakana. Darroch's Shipbuilding Yard, Omaha, North Auckland.|date=10 May 1901|website=Kura Heritage Collections Online (Auckland Council Libraries)|access-date=6 October 2025}} 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 until at least 1921 and the industry longer. Electricity came to Matakana in 1936.

First World War Memorial

Matakana's First World War Memorial is a listed landmark 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 local MP Joseph Gordon Coates (later Prime Minister). 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 features an early statue of George V sculpted from Oamaru stone by 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, Ōtāhuhu, 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 farewelled.

Matakana's local militia unit became a troop of the Auckland Mounted Rifles. Feldon was the Brigade major of the Auckland Mounted Rifles.

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.[[File:Matakana_Wharf.jpg|thumb|[[Northern Steamship Company]]'s ss Kotiki (1898–1931) 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]]

Governance

The Matakana West Road District was formed 26 September 1867 and the Matakana East Road District was formed 19 March 1868. The two road districts merged into one from 1868 to 1872, when they separated. The Matakana East Road District was abolished 1916–1921 and the Matakana West Road District was abolished 1911–1916.

Demographics

Statistics New Zealand describes Matakana as a rural settlement, which covers 1.60 km2 and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of 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. 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.

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.

Dome Valley-Matakana statistical area

Dome Valley-Matakana statistical area, which includes Dome Valley and Rainbows End, covers 84.76 km2 and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of 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. 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.

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.

Matakana Diamond Jubilee Park

History

Matakana Diamond Jubilee Park opened in 1897. Between approximately 1870 to 1897, horse races were held on New Year’s Day and Easter Monday on a track in Matakana township. The meetings also included athletics. This area is now the Diamond Jubilee Park, which opened to celebrate Queen Victoria’s 60 years on the throne.

Future Community Usage

A consultation process was held to present to the community a series of options for Matakana Jubilee Park, and spark discussion about what future vision of the park is preferred across the community. These included three options for Matakana Jubilee Park, each differing in programme and space allowances for different activities. In 2020, a lease formalising shared use of Diamond Jubilee Park between Matakana Pony Club and the wider community was granted by Rodney Local Board.

Climate

|access-date = 20 Nov 2024}}

Education

Matakana School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) 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.

References

Related links

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

References

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