{{About|the locality in Northland|the island in Whangārei Harbour|Motu Matakohe|the Ruawai-Matakohe statistical area|Ruawai#Ruawai-Matakohe statistical area}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2022}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Matakohe |image_skyline = Matakohe Post and telegraph office.jpg |image_caption = [[Matakohe Post Office|Post and telegraph office]], now a museum |area_total_km2 = 14.92 |area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> |population_total = 156 |population_as_of = 2023 Census |population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2023"/> |population_density_km2 = auto |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = New Zealand |subdivision_type1= Region |subdivision_name1= [[Northland Region]] |subdivision_type2= District |subdivision_name2= [[Kaipara District]] |subdivision_type3= Ward |subdivision_name3= Otamatea Ward |leader_title = Territorial Authority |leader_name = [[Kaipara District Council]] |leader_title1 = Regional council |leader_name1 = [[Northland Regional Council]] |leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Kaipara]] |leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Kaipara District Mayor|y}} |leader_title3 = [[Northland (New Zealand electorate)|Northland MP]] |leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Northland MP|y}} |leader_title4 = [[Te Tai Tokerau|Te Tai Tokerau MP]] |leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tokerau MP|y}} |seat_type = Electorates |seat = {{ubl|[[Northland (New Zealand electorate)|Northland]]|[[Te Tai Tokerau]]}} | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 8 |coordinates = {{coord|36|7|46|S|174|11|6|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}} }}
'''Matakohe''' is a settlement in [[Northland Region|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]]. [[New Zealand State Highway 12|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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|isbn=0-7900-0952-8|editor=Peter Dowling |publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 7}}</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 30}}</ref>
The [[Kauri Museum]] at Matakohe shows the area's heritage in the [[Agathis australis|kauri]] timber industry.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/TheBush/UsesOfTheBush/LoggingNativeForests/7/en |title=Sustainable forest management|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]}}</ref>
==History==
===European settlement=== [[Image:1929 Caterpillar.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Albertlanders: Brave Pioneers of the 'Sixties|author=Sir Henry Brett and Henry Hook|year=1927|page=234}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Tall Spars, Steamers & Gum|last=Ryburn|first=Wayne|year=1999|isbn=0-473-06176-7|pages=19–20, 27, 30, 36|publisher=Kaipara Publications|location=Auckland, N.Z.}}</ref> In 1881, the longest wharf in the Kaipara—{{convert|1450|ft|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.<ref>Ryburn, pp 75-76, 79-80</ref>
The [[gum-digger|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 [[New Zealand flax|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.<ref>Ryburn, pp 40, 42, 55</ref> The mill was destroyed by fire in 1906.<ref>Ryburn, pp 108-110</ref> Matakohe held a race-day each February, in which were entries from as far as [[Kaiwaka]] and [[Waipu, New Zealand|Waipu]].<ref>Ryburn, p 72</ref>
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.<ref>Ryburn, p 62, 64, 69</ref> The population reached 264 in 1906, but declined to 141 in 1921.<ref>Ryburn, p 165</ref>
===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.<ref>Ryburn, pp 156-7, 161</ref> The roads improved, and by 1920 all {{convert|53|mi|km}} of roads in the area were [[Metal (pavement)|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.<ref>Ryburn, pp 188, 190, 192</ref>
===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]].<ref name="tkmentry">{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= http://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=[[Te Puni Kōkiri]]}}</ref><ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}</ref>
==Demographics== Matakohe is in an SA1 statistical area which covers {{Convert|14.92|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=30 November 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> The SA1 area is part of the larger [[Ruawai#Rūāwai-Matakohe statistical area|Rūāwai-Matakohe statistical area]].<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|ruawai-matakohe|Ruawai-Matakohe}}</ref>
{{Historical populations|2006|120|2013|141|2018|120|2023|156|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7001055}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>}} Matakohe had a population of 156 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 36 people (30.0%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 15 people (10.6%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 78 males and 78 females in 69 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_009&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7001055.2023&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> 1.9% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 53.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 30 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 12 (7.7%) aged 15 to 29, 69 (44.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 45 (28.8%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 94.2% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 13.5% [[Māori people|Māori]]; and 1.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA). English was spoken by 98.1%, Māori language by 5.8%, and other languages by 7.7%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 13.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 25.0% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 3.8% [[Māori religious beliefs]], and 1.9% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]]. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 53.8%, and 15.4% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (9.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 75 (59.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (26.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $27,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (2.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 51 (40.5%) people were employed full-time and 21 (16.7%) were part-time.<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_012&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%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.7001055.2013%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=7001055}}</ref>
==Education==
Matakohe School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1042|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}<ref>{{TKI|1042|Matakohe School}}</ref> The school celebrated its 125th reunion in 2003.<ref name=edgazette>{{cite journal|url=http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/notices.php/notices.php?action=view&id=59475|title=Matakohe School 125th Reunion|journal=Education Gazette New Zealand|volume=82|issue=16|date=1 September 2003}}{{dead link|date=April 2009|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> When it was founded, the school shared a half day with Omaru School.<ref>Ryburn, p 222</ref> Over the years, it has amalgamated with Ararua, Hukatere, Oparakau and Parahi schools.<ref name=edgazette />
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.<ref>Ryburn, pp 45-46</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=DSC18710701.2.16&e=-------en--1----0-all|title=Matakohe: School Fete|journal=Daily Southern Cross|date=1 July 1871|volume=XXVII|issue=4330|page=2}}</ref>
==Notable people==
* [[Gordon Coates]], Prime Minister 1925–28, born on the Hukatere Peninsula at [[Ruatuna]], and attended Matakohe School.<ref>{{DNZB|Bassett|Michael|3c24|Coates, Joseph Gordon|4 April 2011||Michael Bassett}}</ref>
==Notes== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[http://www.kauricoast.co.nz/Feature.cfm?WPID=42 Kauri Coast Information Centre website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430022020/http://www.kauricoast.co.nz/Feature.cfm?WPID=42 |date=30 April 2008 }} *[https://www.kaurimuseum.com/ The Kauri Museum] {{Kaipara District}}
[[Category:Kaipara District]] [[Category:Populated places in the Northland Region]] [[Category:Populated places around the Kaipara Harbour]]