Mataroa | |
|---|---|
Rural community | |
 Paengaroa Scenic Reserve, viewed from across the Hautapu River | |
Interactive map of Mataroa | |
| Coordinates: 39°39′07″S 175°43′12″E / 39.652°S 175.720°E / -39.652; 175.720 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| Territorial authority | Rangitikei District |
| Wards |
|
| Community | Taihape Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Rangitikei District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Rangitikei | Andy Watson[1] |
| • Rangitīkei MP | Suze Redmayne[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area [4] | |
• Total | 38.37 km2 (14.81 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 126 |
| • Density | 3.28/km2 (8.51/sq mi) |
Mataroa is a settlement in the Rangitikei District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.
The area was already settled by the Māori iwi Ngāti Rangi by the time William Colenso made the first recorded European visit in 1845.[6]
Railway surveyors cut a rough track through the district in 1884, and wool farmers began clearing the area in the following decades.[6] The Mataroa Tunnel was dug through the area in the early 1900s.[7] The Main Trunk railway line was laid through it in 1906 and it began to carry trains in 1907.[8]
The Paengaroa Scenic Reserve is located in Mataroa.[9] It includes a carpark, picnicking area, and ten minute walking track.[10]
There were two fatal crashes in Mataroa in 2019.[11][12]
Demographics
Mataora locality covers 38.37 km2 (14.81 sq mi).[4] It is part of the larger Mokai Patea statistical area.[13]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 171 | — |
| 2013 | 135 | −3.32% |
| 2018 | 129 | −0.91% |
| 2023 | 126 | −0.47% |
| Source: [5][14] | ||
Mataora had a population of 126 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 3 people (−2.3%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 9 people (−6.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 66 males and 57 females in 54 dwellings.[15] 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 24 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 27 (21.4%) aged 15 to 29, 54 (42.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (16.7%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 90.5% European (Pākehā), 31.0% Māori, 4.8% Pasifika, and 2.4% Asian. English was spoken by 97.6%, Māori by 11.9%, and other languages by 2.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 4.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
The sole religious affiliation given was 33.3% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 50.0%, and 11.9% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (17.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 69 (67.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 15 (14.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $47,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 9 people (8.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 66 (64.7%) full-time and 15 (14.7%) part-time.[5]
Education
Mataroa School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[16] with a roll of 54 as of July 2025.[17][18] It opened in 1900, and moved to a new building on the present site two years' later.[19]
References
- ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Rangitīkei - Official Result". electionresults. Electoral Commission. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 3 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7017938. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ a b McLintock, A H (1966). "An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand – Taihape". teara.govt.nz. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
- ^ "Public Works Amendment Bill". Parliamentary Debates. 135. 8 November 1904.
- ^ "Mataroa Tunnel (N.Z.)". natlib.govt.nz. National Library of New Zealand.
- ^ "Paengaroa Scenic Reserve". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
- ^ "Paengaroa Scenic Reserve Walk". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
- ^ Kilmister, Sam (5 April 2019). "Police release the names of two fatal crash victims near Taihape". Stuff.
- ^ Mitchell, Paul (16 December 2019). "Manawatū boy orphaned after mother killed in Taihape crash". Stuff.
- ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017938.
- ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- ^ "Mataroa School". Mataroa School. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
External links
- 1905 photo of the site of Mataroa
