| Mata River | |
| Source1 Location: | Southeast side of Raukumara Range, Gisborne district |
| Mouth Location: | Confluence with Tapuaeroa River |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | New Zealand |
| Source1 Elevation: | 1250m (4,100feet) |
| Mouth Elevation: | 58m (190feet) |
| Tributaries Left: | Waitahaia River, Aorangiwai River |
| Tributaries Right: | Ihungia River |
The Mata River is a river of the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It flows northeast from the slopes of Mount Arowhana in the Raukumara Range to join with the Tapuaeroa River close to the settlement of Ruatoria, in doing so forming the Waiapu River, which reaches the Pacific Ocean near Rangitukia, 10km (10miles) south of East Cape.