Matakohe

Matakohe is a settlement in Northland, New Zealand. The Matakohe River is a short river which runs from the north into the Arapaoa River, which is part of the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 12 passes through Matakohe. Ruawai is 16 km to the west, and Paparoa is 6 km north east. The Hukatere Peninsula extends south into the Kaipara Harbour.[1][2]

This article is about the locality in Northland. For the island in Whangārei Harbour, see Motu Matakohe. For the Ruawai-Matakohe statistical area, see Ruawai § Demographics.
Matakohe
Matakohe
Coordinates: 36°7′46″S 174°11′6″E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionNorthland Region
DistrictKaipara District

The Kauri Museum at Matakohe shows the area's heritage in the kauri timber industry.[3]

History

European settlement
Post and telegraph office, now a museum
This 60 horsepower machine is one of five imported into New Zealand in 1930 for hauling logs. It replaced eight bullock teams (112 animals). Presently in the Kauri Museum in Matakohe

The Matakohe block was first settled by Pākehā in 1863, when members of the Albertland religious group arrived in New Zealand.[4] The land was initially burnt off to allow for the planting of crops and grass. A weekly (initially monthly) ferry service brought mail, and a road was constructed to Paparoa.[5] In 1881, the longest wharf in the Kaipara—1,450 feet (440 m) long—was built at Matakohe to accommodate the steamers. Minnie Casey served Matakohe in the 1880s, and the S.S. Ethel, then the S.S. Tangihua in the 1890s.[6]

The kauri gum industry became established around Matakohe in 1867-70, possibly the first place in the Kaipara District that the industry developed amongst settlers. A flax mill was built in 1870, but it was not profitable and was soon converted to a timber mill. This was replaced by a larger timber mill in the 1880s.[7] The mill was destroyed by fire in 1906.[8] Matakohe held a race-day each February, in which were entries from as far as Kaiwaka and Waipu.[9]

In the 1890s, the population of Matakohe increased from 93 to 231, and the town was described as "the principal place in the Otamatea County". By 1902 the town had two boarding houses, a library, stores and a goods shed, as well as the older church and school.[10] The population reached 264 in 1906, but declined to 141 in 1921.[11]

20th century

The town's focus shifted from gum digging to dairy farming in the early 20th century. Apple growing was also successful at first, but ceased by 1935 due to the Great Depression and poor management.[12] The roads improved, and by 1920 all 53 miles (85 km) of roads in the area were metalled, using the abundant local supplies of limestone. The route to Dargaville was improved by the opening of a road through Ruawai in 1927, replacing the inland road.[13]

Marae

Matakohe has two marae. Te Kōwhai Marae are affiliated with Ngāti Whātua and Te Uri o Hau. Matatina Marae and Tuohu meeting house are a traditional meeting place of Te Roroa.[14][15]

Education

Matakohe School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 45 students as of March 2020.[16][17] The school celebrated its 125th reunion in 2003.[18] When it was founded, the school shared a half day with Omaru School.[19] Over the years, it has amalgamated with Ararua, Hukatere, Oparakau and Parahi schools.[18]

There was a Matakohe School established in 1870. It used a church ante-room at first, then moved to the main church building while the school building was being constructed.[20][21]

Notable people

Notes
  1. Peter Dowling (editor) (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 7. 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 30. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  3. "Sustainable forest management". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  4. Sir Henry Brett and Henry Hook (1927). The Albertlanders: Brave Pioneers of the 'Sixties. p. 234.
  5. Ryburn, Wayne (1999). Tall Spars, Steamers & Gum. Auckland, N.Z.: Kaipara Publications. pp. 19–20, 27, 30, 36. ISBN 0-473-06176-7.
  6. Ryburn, pp 75-76, 79-80
  7. Ryburn, pp 40, 42, 55
  8. Ryburn, pp 108-110
  9. Ryburn, p 72
  10. Ryburn, p 62, 64, 69
  11. Ryburn, p 165
  12. Ryburn, pp 156-7, 161
  13. Ryburn, pp 188, 190, 192
  14. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  15. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  16. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  17. Education Counts: Matakohe School
  18. "Matakohe School 125th Reunion". Education Gazette New Zealand. 82 (16). 1 September 2003.
  19. Ryburn, p 222
  20. Ryburn, pp 45-46
  21. "Matakohe: School Fete". Daily Southern Cross. XXVII (4330): 2. 1 July 1871.
  22. Bassett, Michael. "Coates, Joseph Gordon". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
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