Matakana

Matakana is a small town in the Rodney District of New Zealand. Warkworth is 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 is about 13 km to the north-east. The Matakana River flows through the town and into Kawau Bay to the south-east.

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

Education

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

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.

Matakana (New Zealand electorate)

Matakana is a former New Zealand parliamentary electorate in the Thames-Coromandel District, which existed for one parliamentary term from 1993 to 1996, and was held by Graeme Lee. In 1994, Lee defected from National to the Christian Democrat Party party.

Population centres

Based on the 1991 census, an electoral redistribution was carried out. This resulted in the abolition of nine electorates, and the creation of eleven new electorates. Through an amendment in the Electoral Act in 1965, the number of electorates in the South Island was fixed at 25, so the new electorates increased the number of the North Island electorates by two. In the South Island, one electorate was abolished and one electorate was recreated. In the North Island, five electorates were newly created (including Matakana), five electorates were recreated, and eight electorates were abolished.

The electorate was located adjacent to the Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the North Island, north of Tauranga and south of the Coromandel Peninsula. It is named after Matakana Island. Polling booths where more than 1,000 votes were cast were located in Katikati, Paeroa, Waihi, Waihi Beach, and Whangamata. In 1996, parts of the Matakana and Hauraki electorates were taken to form the Coromandel electorate.