Matau, Taranaki Map

About Matau, Taranaki

Matau is a locality in the Taranaki Region of New Zealand. It sits at an elevation of around 144 m above sea level. It lies approximately 43 km east-southeast of New Plymouth, the regional capital. Matau is located at 39.1612°S, 174.5635°E. It observes New Zealand Time (NZST/NZDT).

Matau rests in the rolling heart of Taranaki, a landscape painted in broad strokes of emerald and ochre. It lies 42.7 km east-south-east of New Plymouth (from New Plymouth: bearing 104°T), and is situated 21.7 km east-north-east of Ratapiko. The land here unfurls in gentle swells, punctuated by stands of native bush, the dark, dense foliage of Te Wera Forest clinging to the steeper inclines. The air, clean and carrying the faintest scent of damp earth and growing things, often holds a certain stillness, broken only by the lowing of cattle or the distant hum of a tractor. In the late afternoon, the sun, when it breaks through the often-present cloud cover, casts long, soft shadows that stretch across the pastures and illuminate the subtle contours of the terrain.

The economic lifeblood of Matau has long been tied to the fertile soil, a legacy of dairy farming that shapes the rhythm of the seasons and the daily lives of its inhabitants. While the Urenui River flows some distance away, its influence is felt in the moisture that nourishes the land. The nearby Matemateaonga Range, a distant, hazy outline against the horizon, speaks of the broader geological forces that have shaped this region, though the immediate surroundings are more subdued. Historically, the area has seen its share of human endeavour, evidenced by the presence of sites like Mangahau Pa, a reminder of earlier inhabitants and their connection to this ground. The local community, though small, possesses a quiet resilience, a characteristic bred by the land and the enduring traditions of rural Taranaki.

About This Matau Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Matau, Taranaki, New Zealand — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: -39.16121, 174.56351. 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 Matau.

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