Mātāwai Explained

Mātāwai is a small inland settlement in the Gisborne Region in the northeast of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the upper reaches of the Motu River, in the Raukumara Range.[1] It is on State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki.[2]

The Matawai War Memorial Hall was opened in 1952, replacing a previous hall built in 1910. It was refurbished in 2016 to accommodate war rolls of honour from neighbouring communities.[3]

Parks

The settlement's main reserve, Matawai Reserve, is a sports ground and local park.[4]

Marae

The local Mātāwai Marae and Tapapa meeting house is a meeting place of Te Aitanga ā Māhaki's hapū of Ngā Pōtiki, Ngāti Mātāwai, Ngāti Wahia and Te Whānau a Taupara.[5] [6]

In October 2020, the Government committed $812,548 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade it and Te Wainui Marae, creating 15.4 jobs.[7]

Education

Matawai School is a Year 1-8 co-educational public primary school.[8] In 2019, it was a decile 4 school with a roll of 58.[9]

The nearby Otoko School was closed in 1997.

References

-38.35°N 209°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Description of Matawai and history . cknzgp.net.
  2. Web site: Hariss . Gavin . Matawai, Gisborne . topomap.co.nz . NZ Topo Map.
  3. Web site: Matawai War Memorial Hall . nzhistory.govt.nz . . 17 February 2017.
  4. Web site: Gisborne Parks and Reserves . gdc.govt.nz . Gisborne District Council.
  5. Web site: Te Kāhui Māngai directory. tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  6. Web site: Māori Maps . maorimaps.com . Te Potiki National Trust.
  7. Web site: Marae Announcements . growregions.govt.nz . . Excel . 9 October 2020.
  8. Web site: Education Review Office Report . ero.govt.nz . Education Review Office.
  9. Web site: Ministry of Education School Profile . educationcounts.govt.nz . Ministry of Education.