Matapihi, Bay of Plenty Map

About Matapihi, Bay of Plenty

Matapihi is a locality in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand. It sits at an elevation of around 20 m above sea level. It lies approximately 76 km west-northwest of Whakatane, the regional capital. Matapihi is located at 37.6906°S, 176.1883°E. It observes New Zealand Time (NZST/NZDT).

Matapihi rests gently against the rolling green shoulders of the land, a place where the scent of salt from Waipu Bay, a kilometre distant, often mingles with the sweet perfume of ripening kiwifruit. It lies 2.0 km east-south-east of Tauranga (from Tauranga: bearing 105°T), and is situated 7.0 km east of Bethlehem. The landscape here is a soft embrace of fertile soil, a mosaic of fields that slope towards the distant shimmer of the sea, punctuated by the occasional stand of native bush. Sunlight, when it breaks through the coastal clouds, has a particular luminescence, catching the dewdrops on the broad leaves of the subtropical flora and casting long, soft shadows across the undulating terrain. The air itself carries a certain quality, a blend of earthy richness and the faint, briny whisper of the ocean, a constant reminder of the proximity to the coast.

This land, Matapihi, has long been shaped by the rhythm of the tides and the endeavours of its people. Historically, its economy has been deeply entwined with the bounty of the surrounding land and sea, with dairy farming providing a foundational prosperity that still echoes in the verdant pastures. More recently, horticulture, particularly the cultivation of kiwifruit, has flourished, its glossy green vines a prominent feature of the local landscape. The Waimapu River, a steady presence some six kilometres away, has historically offered a vital artery for transport and sustenance, while the distant Kaimai Range watches over the region, a silent, ancient guardian. The proximity to Waipu Bay also hints at a heritage where the sea provided not only sustenance but also a connection to wider horizons, a subtle influence that colours the character of Matapihi still.

About This Matapihi Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Matapihi, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: -37.69056, 176.18833. Live weather conditions with current observations and a 7-day forecast are powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time New Zealand and world news feeds keep the page current, while an editorial description provides background on Matapihi.

Matapihi sits within the Bay of Plenty Region. Location data is drawn from the GeoNames geographical database and verified by coordinates, ensuring the correct Matapihi is identified even where the name is shared across multiple New Zealand localities.