Matata, Bay of Plenty Map

About Matata, Bay of Plenty

Matata is a locality in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand. It is a small community with a population of 681. It lies approximately 22 km west-northwest of Whakatane, the regional capital. Matata is located at 37.8833°S, 176.7500°E. It observes New Zealand Time (NZST/NZDT). Statistics New Zealand classifies the area as a rural settlement.

Matata rests on a broad, fertile plain, its character shaped by the gentle slopes that lead towards the distant, shimmering expanse of the Bay of Plenty. It lies 52.6 km east-north-east of Rotorua (from Rotorua: bearing 57°T), and is situated 13.3 km north-north-west of Edgecumbe. To the west, the land rises into rolling hills, a patchwork of green pastures and darker swathes of native bush, occasionally broken by the orderly lines of pine plantations. The air here carries a faint, sweet scent of ripening kiwifruit, a constant reminder of the region's agricultural bounty, and the light, particularly in the late afternoon, softens the edges of the landscape, casting long shadows that stretch across the fields. The Tarawera River, a ribbon of brown water, traces a meandering path through this fertile ground, its presence a vital artery for the surrounding farmland, its banks a sanctuary for birdlife.

This coastal fringe, though a kilometre from the open sea, hums with an economy deeply rooted in the land and its proximity to the water. Historically, Matata has been a place of agricultural endeavour, with dairy farming and horticulture forming the backbone of its prosperity. The soil, rich and volcanic in origin, is particularly suited to growing the glossy, green kiwifruit that are a hallmark of the Bay of Plenty, and orchards are a common sight, their neat rows a testament to careful cultivation. The presence of the Tarawera River also hints at the historical importance of water for transport and sustenance, and while Matata itself is not a major harbour, the distant murmur of the ocean is a constant, gentle reminder of the wider world accessible from this sheltered pocket of the coast. The quiet rhythm of Matata is one of steady work and a deep connection to the cycles of nature, a place where the land’s generous spirit is reflected in the lives of its inhabitants.

About This Matata Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Matata, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: -37.88333, 176.75. 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 Matata.

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