Matawai, Gisborne Map

About Matawai, Gisborne

Matawai is a locality in the Gisborne Region of New Zealand. It sits at an elevation of around 552 m above sea level. It lies approximately 53 km north-west of Gisborne, the regional capital. Matawai is located at 38.3500°S, 177.5333°E. It observes New Zealand Time (NZST/NZDT).

Matawai rests cradled by the rolling Tairawhiti hills, a landscape of verdant pastureland that spills and folds with a gentle persistence towards the distant, unseen coast. It lies 53.1 km north-west of Gisborne (from Gisborne: bearing 309°T), and is situated 43.6 km south-south-east of Opotiki. The air here carries the clean, earthy scent of damp soil and growing things, a constant reminder of the rich agricultural heartland that defines this inland pocket of the Gisborne Region. To the west, the Mokonuiarangi Range forms a hazy, blue-grey backdrop, its ancient contours softened by the vastness of the sky. A kilometre away, the Motu River murmurs its steady course, a silver thread through the tapestry of farmland and native bush, its waters reflecting the stoic, unchanging presence of the land.

The history of Matawai is a story woven from the hardy threads of early settlers and the enduring spirit of agricultural endeavour. For generations, the primary pulse of Matawai has been the land itself, a source of livelihood through sheep and beef farming, with forestry also playing a significant role, its dark green swathes visible on some of the steeper slopes. The rhythm of life here is dictated by the seasons and the demands of the farm, a quiet, purposeful existence far from the clamour of larger centres. While not a place of grand monuments, Matawai possesses a distinctive character, a testament to the resilience and self-sufficiency of those who have chosen to call this particular corner of New Zealand home. The occasional rumble of a tractor or the distant bleating of sheep are the prevailing sounds, underscoring the deep connection between the people and the fertile earth they cultivate.

About This Matawai Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Matawai, Gisborne, New Zealand — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: -38.35, 177.53333. 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 Matawai.

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