Find Your Place - About Matamata-Piako

About Matamata-Piako

Matamata-Piako District Council comprises three offices, a main office in Te Aroha, and smaller area offices in Matamata and Morrinsville.
There are around 140 full time equivalent staff working for the Council.
Council’s work includes a diverse range of activities, including roading, solid waste disposal, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, water treatment, civil defence and rural fire management, road safety, environmental health, animal control, environmental monitoring, planning and resource consents, building consents, community development, parks and reserves, property, community facilities and a range of other services.
Council’s organisational structure is simple; the Chief Executive, employed by the Mayor and Councillors, employs the staff.

Our district is predominantly rural, with agriculture and manufacturing featuring as extremely important to our economy.
Tourism has been on the increase since 2002 and is rising.
The district has a labour force with a range of skills.
Comprehensive infrastructure inclusive of roading servicing the North Island.
Attracting investment in primary industry and production.
Technology continues to increase efficiency, changing the demand for skills in the workforce.

Identify with a number of different cultures; but are predominantly European, with a substantial proportion of Maori.
Youthful population with around 22.8% of people aged 15 years or younger.
Consistent with the national trend, the population is aging.

Te Aroha is home to the world’s only hot soda water geyser, as well as the beautifully restored Edwardian Domain, and natural Te Aroha Mineral Spas.
The Kaimai Ranges are considered to be the most outstanding natural feature in the district and provide opportunities for many recreational activities, including bush walking, hunting, and mountain biking.
There are a range of leisure facilities including district libraries, heated and cold water swimming pool complexes, the Te Aroha Mineral Spas, and a sports centre.
The district is very central, close to the centres of Tauranga, Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland and only a short drive to either the beach or the snow depending on the season.
A strong Dairy Industry is at the centre of our economy.
The Kopuatai Peat Dome is the only true peat/dome/restaid bog remaining intact in New Zealand. As well as the largest remaining freshwater wetland left in the North Island, it is the best example of its kind in New Zealand, and supports a vegetation type unique to the world.
Plenty of action is available in the district including sky diving, gliding, mountain biking, 4x4 driving, kayaking and trout fishing.
For those not into action, the predominantly rural district provides a great, relaxing environment, surrounded by serene bush.
Matamata is internationally known as the location where Peter Jackson filmed “Hobbiton” for the Lord of the Rings movie. The set is a popular tourist attraction just outside of Matamata.

Employment opportunities and training for young people will continue to be a focus.
Indications are that there will be a more diversified economy, taking advantage of niche markets like tourism and distribution and the fact that technology can break down geographic barriers.
In simple terms, economic growth continues to rise.