View source for Matatoki

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Matatoki
| image_skyline        = Matatoki Cheese Barn.jpg
| image_caption        = Lunch at the Matatoki Cheese Barn
| subdivision_type     = Country
| subdivision_name     = [[New Zealand]]
| subdivision_type1    = Region
| subdivision_name1    = [[Waikato]]
| subdivision_type2    = District
| subdivision_name2    = [[Thames-Coromandel District]]
| subdivision_type3    = Ward
| subdivision_name3    = Thames ward
| subdivision_type4    = Community Board
| subdivision_name4    = Thames Community
| leader_title         = Council
| leader_name          = [[Thames-Coromandel District Council]]
| leader_title1        = Regional council
| leader_name1         = [[Waikato Regional Council]]
| leader_title2        = [[Mayor of Thames-Coromandel]]
| leader_name2         = {{NZ officeholder data|Thames-Coromandel District Mayor|y}}
| leader_title3        = [[Coromandel (New Zealand electorate)|Coromandel MP]]
| leader_name3         = {{NZ officeholder data|Coromandel MP|y}}
| leader_title4        = [[Hauraki-Waikato|Hauraki-Waikato MP]]
| leader_name4         = {{NZ officeholder data|Hauraki-Waikato MP|y}}
| seat_type            = Electorates
| seat                 = {{ubl|[[Coromandel (New Zealand electorate)|Coromandel]]|[[Hauraki-Waikato]] (Maori)}}
| area_footnotes       = 
| area_total_km2       = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total     = 
| population_as_of     = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| image_map            = {{infobox mapframe|zoom=10}}
| coordinates          = {{coord|37|12|28|S|175|36|24|E|region:NZ_scale:10000|display=it}}
}}

'''Matatoki''' is a locality on the [[Hauraki Plains]] of [[New Zealand]]. It lies on [[State Highway 26 (New Zealand)|State Highway 26]], south east of [[Thames, New Zealand|Thames]] and north of [[Paeroa]]. The Matatoki Stream runs from the [[Coromandel Range]] through the area to join the [[Waihou River]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|editor=Peter Dowling |publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 15}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|isbn=1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|pages=map 44}}</ref>

The Kopu sawmill, a few kilometres north of Matatoki, closed at the end of June 2008, with the loss of 145 jobs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10508334|title=Kopu mill to close, 145 jobs to be lost|publisher=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=6 May 2008}}</ref>

==History==

The eastern bank of the [[Waihou River]] near Matatoki was the location for many [[Hauraki Māori]] [[pā]], such as Oruarangi pā and Paterangi pā, which were likely first settled in the 1300s.<ref name="Prickett1990">{{Cite Q|Q58677392}}</ref> Between the 1930s and 1960s, Oruarangi pā was an important archaeological site for [[Māori history#Classic period (1500–1642)|Classic period]] Māori artifacts.<ref name="Prickett1990"/>

==Demographics==
Matatoki-Pūriri statistical area also includes [[Puriri, New Zealand|Puriri]]. It covers {{Convert|161.07|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised)|access-date=3 March 2025}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Matatoki-Puriri|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Matatoki-Puriri|y}}|R}}/161.07|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|1,062|2013|1,002|2018|1,059|2023|1,176|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Matatoki-Pūriri|source=<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Matatoki-Puriri (168300)|matatoki-puriri|Matatoki-Puriri}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>}}
Matatoki-Pūriri had a population of 1,176 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 117 people (11.0%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 174 people (17.4%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 600 males, 573 females and 3 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 405 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.168300.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 2.3% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 44.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 231 people (19.6%) aged under 15 years, 165 (14.0%) aged 15 to 29, 570 (48.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 210 (17.9%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.4% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 19.9% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 2.0% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 2.0% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.4%, Māori language by 2.8%, and other languages by 5.1%. No language could be spoken by 2.0% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 11.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 21.9% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.8% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.5% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.3% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.8% [[New Age]], and 0.5% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 67.1%, and 8.4% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 117 (12.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 561 (59.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 267 (28.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $40,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 78 people (8.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 504 (53.3%) people were employed full-time, 153 (16.2%) were part-time, and 21 (2.2%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.168300.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Matatoki-Pūriri (168300)}}</ref>

==Education==
Matatoki School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1819|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}<ref>{{TKI|1819|Matatoki School}}</ref> The school opened in 1920.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.matatoki.school.nz/news/matatokischoolcentenary1920to2020|title=Matatoki School Centenary 1920 to 2020!|publisher=Matatoki School|date=10 March 2020|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003055632/http://www.matatoki.school.nz/news/matatokischoolcentenary1920to2020|archivedate=3 October 2020}}</ref>

== Railway station ==
[[File:Matatoki_railway_station_site.jpg|thumb|Matatoki station site, now part of the Hauraki Rail Trail, in 2023]]
Matatoki had a railway station, just south of the village ({{coord|37|12|33|S|175|36|11|E|type:railwaystation_region:NZ|display=inline}}),<ref>{{Cite web |date=1953 |title=1:63360 map Sheet: N49 Thames |url=http://www.mapspast.org.nz/?zoom=13&x=1830203&y=5879412&layerid=NZMS1%201959 |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=www.mapspast.org.nz}}</ref> from 1898 to 1995 on the [[Thames Branch]]. Larkins and O'Brien built the [[Kopu, New Zealand|Kopu]] to Hikutaia section from August 1885 for £10,879,<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 1885 |title=WAIKATO-THAMES RAILWAY. Thames Star |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS18850804.2.13 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> had made good progress by January 1886<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 1886 |title=Thames Advertiser |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THA18860118.2.6.6 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> and completed that section through Matatoki in May 1887.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 1887 |title=Te Aroha News |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAN18870514.2.4 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Heath and Irwin started building the Hikutaia to Paeroa section, to the south, in January 1887.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 1887 |title=LATEST TELEGRAMS. Te Aroha News |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TAN18870108.2.7 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 1887 |title=Thames Advertiser |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THA18870322.2.4 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Work on the Paeroa to Te Aroha section began in 1892,<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 1892 |title=Thames Star |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS18920512.2.6 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> but in 1895 it was said, "a Parliamentary faction stopped the workers in their work".<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 1895 |title=The Rambler. Thames Star |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS18950613.2.23 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Work on the bridges resumed in 1897.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 1897 |title=Thames Advertiser |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THA18970311.2.12 |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> The Minister of Public Works was able to travel by train from Hikutaia, through Matatoki, to Thames in July 1897.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 July 1897 |title=HON. W. HALL-JONES. Ohinemuri Gazette |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OG18970728.2.13 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>

The Thames to Paeroa section of the line opened on Monday, 19 December 1898, with Matatoki as a [[flag station]]. It had a partly built [[George Troup (architect)#Standard station designs|6th class station]] (a shelter shed), {{Convert|100|ft|abbr=on}} x {{Convert|12|ft|abbr=on}} platform and a loading bank. A year later there was also a [[passing loop]] for 35 wagons and a siding. By 1966 there was also a low-level loading bank for Matatoki Quarries to load crushed metal.<ref name=":02222">{{Cite web |last=Scoble |first=Juliet |title=Station Archive |url=https://railheritage.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Station_Archive_4web-2.xls |website=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand}}</ref>

Passenger trains were withdrawn on 28 March 1951 and freight on 22 February 1971, though Matatoki reopened for freight on 28 February 1974, closed again on 20 July 1980 and re-opened again on 30 November 1984, until June 28, 1991, the last day of commercial traffic on the Thames branch, which officially closed on March 29, 1995.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Juliet Scoble: Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand |url=http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124135845/http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Dates_and_names.pdf |archive-date=24 January 2018 |access-date=30 November 2015}}</ref> It is now used by the [[Hauraki Rail Trail]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Section D: Paeroa to Te Aroha |url=https://haurakirailtrail.co.nz/choose-your-ride/paeroa-to-te-aroha |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=haurakirailtrail.co.nz}}</ref>{{Historical Rail Start}} 
{{rail line|previous=[[Puriri, New Zealand|Puriri]]<br /><small>Line closed, station closed<br>{{convert|3.66|km|abbr=on}}</small>|next=[[Kopu, New Zealand|Kopu]]<br /><small>Line closed, station closed<br>{{convert|4.05|km|abbr=on}}</small>|route=[[Thames Branch]]<br><small>[[New Zealand Railways Department]]</small>|col=}}
{{end box}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Thames-Coromandel District}}

[[Category:Thames-Coromandel District]]
[[Category:Populated places in Waikato]]