Matakana

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, Omaha 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.[1][2]

Matakana
Matakana Wharf Reserve and Matakana River viewed from the village junction.
Matakana
Coordinates: 36°21′6″S 174°43′0″E
CountryNew Zealand
CouncilAuckland Council
WardRodney Ward
Population
 (2018)
 • Total492
This article is about town. For island, see Matakana Island. For river, see Matakana River. For electorate, see Matakana (New Zealand electorate).

The surrounding area contains several vineyards and breweries,[3] developing a name for pinot gris, merlot, syrah and a host of obscure varietals.[4] Offering 'a slice of rural community life', the area offers craft outlets, markets, boutique stores, and country cafes.[5] The reasonable proximity to Auckland (around one hour's drive off-peak[6]) has led to the region becoming a trendy getaway spot for foodie Aucklanders.[7]

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."[4]

From 2018,[8] it is served by 7 buses a day between Warkworth and Omaha.[9] From 2013[10] it had 5 buses a day[11] and is also served by Mahu City Express.[12] Matakana has had a bus since at least 1930,[13] including buses to Auckland.[14]

History

Māori inhabitants of the area were from Ngāti Raupo, a hapu of Te Kawerau, Ngāti Manuhiri) and Ngāti Rongo.[15] Crown purchases started in 1841 with the Mahurangi Purchase, described by the Waitangi Tribunal as, "a crazy quilt of multiple and overlapping transactions".[16] Loggers then moved in to fell the kauri and other timber. George Darroch had a large shipyard building timber ships by 1852,[16] which continued for over 50 years.[17] 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.[15] Matakana Dairy Factory opened in December 1902;[18] the building is now a shop.[15] A shark oil factory opened in 1905[19] and continued till at least 1921[20] and the industry longer.[21] Electricity came to Matakana in 1936.[15]

Matakana's First World War Memorial commemorates New Zealand servicemen from the Matakana area who died while serving during the First and Second World Wars.

First World War Memorial

Matakana's First World War Memorial is a listed landmark[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]

The memorial features an early statue of George V that was sculpted from Oamaru stone by a New Zealand sculptor, William Henry Feldon.[25] Instead of ordering a sculpted figure from overseas, which soldier and politician Sir James Allen recommended at the time,[26] local subscribers commissioned Feldon for the memorials in Matakana, Papakura,[27] Helensville,[28] Mercer,[29] Otahuhu, and the Arawa Memorial in Rotorua.[30] For a small community of 313,[31] 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.[22]

Matakana's local militia unit became a troop of the Auckland Mounted Rifles.[32] Feldon was the Brigade major of the Auckland Mounted Rifles.[33] 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[34].

Northern Steamship Company's ss Kotiki (1898–1931)[35] at Matakana Wharf in 1909. A passenger service from Auckland continued until 1938[36] and cargo until 1945.[37] A sightseeing cruise now operates from the wharf[38]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,122—    
20131,284+1.95%
20181,530+3.57%
Source: [39]

The statistical area of Dome Valley-Matakana, which at 85 square kilometres (33 sq. mi.) is larger than the town, had a population of 1,530 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 246 people (19.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 408 people (36.4%) 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 (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 189 (12.4%) aged 15 to 29, 726 (47.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 312 (20.4%) 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 (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple 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 (27.5%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 180 (14.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,900. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 570 (46.6%) people were employed full-time, 240 (19.6%) were part-time, and 33 (2.7%) were unemployed.[39]

Matakana town had a population of 492 in the 2018 census, an increase of 174 since 2013. There were 225 males and 267 females. 92.7% identified as European/Pākehā, and 9.1% as Māori.[40]

Education

Matakana School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 309 students as of March 2020.[41][42] The school was established in 1862.[43]

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.

Notes
  1. Peter Dowling (editor) (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 11. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  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 6 June 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2008.
  4. "Matakana travel". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  5. "Matakana Travel Guide". Jasons Travel Media.
  6. "Auckland to Matakana". Auckland to Matakana. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  7. 'Under Matakana's Spell', Cuisine magazine. Archived 18 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Transport, Auckland. "Kowhai Connection". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  9. "Warkworth Kowhai Coast Northern Bus Timetable" (PDF). 30 September 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  10. Transport, Auckland. "Innovative bus service for Warkworth and Matakana". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  11. Transport, Auckland. "Kowhai Connection". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  12. "MATAKANA EXPLORER BUS | Mahu City Express". Mahu City Express. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  13. "Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 1930-04-09)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  14. "Gubbs Motors bus for Leigh and Matakana". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. 1958. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  15. "Matakana Information Centre – History". www.matakanainfo.org.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  16. Rigby, Barry (August 1998). "THE CROWN, MAORI, AND MAHURANGI 1840–1881" (PDF). Waitangi Tribunal.
  17. "Darroch's Shipbuilding Yard, Omaha, North Auckland Showing the new three-masted scow Southern Isle". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. 10 May 1901. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  18. "opening of the new butter factory at Matakana". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. 18 December 1902. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  19. "SHARKING. (Auckland Star, 1906-01-31)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  20. "THE OLD SHARK FACTORY AT MATAKANA". www.aucklandcity.govt.nz. 3 November 1921. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  21. "SHARKS AT MATAKANA. (New Zealand Herald, 1926-02-26)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  22. "First World War Memorial, Matakana". Heritage New Zealand.
  23. "Ministers' Movements". Auckland Star. 20 April 1920.
  24. "Matakana remembers fallen in World Wars". Rodney Times. 27 April 2000.
  25. William Henry Feldon
  26. Caddigan, Elise. Historic Heritage Evaluation: Papakura-Karaka War Memorial. Auckland Council Heritage Unit. March 2017. p.53.
  27. "Papakura-Karaka War Memorial Historic Heritage Evaluation" (PDF). Auckland Council Heritage Unit. March 2017.
  28. "Auckland's First World War Heritage Trail" (PDF). Auckland Council Heritage Unit.
  31. "Rodney and Otamatea Times, 8 November 1916".
  32. "Dates of Parades". Rodney and Otamatea Times. 29 July 1914.
  33. Feldon, William Henry (19 November 1940). "Letter to Brig General Bell. (page 8)". Archives New Zealand.
  34. "Wait over for Matakana toilets". 12 May 2009.
  35. "Northern Steam Ship Company of Auckland – Vessel details". www.nzmaritimeindex.org.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  36. "Page 10 Advertisements Column 5 (New Zealand Herald, 1938-12-17)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  37. "Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (New Zealand Herald, 1945-12-28)". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  38. "Matakana River Tours". matakanarivertours.co.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  39. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Dome Valley-Matakana (110900). 2018 Census place summary: Dome Valley-Matakana
  40. "Age and sex by ethnic group (grouped total response), for census usually resident population counts, 2006, 2013, and 2018 Censuses (urban rural areas)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  41. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  42. Education Counts: Matakana School
  43. "Matakana School". Retrieved 8 September 2008.
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