Matakohe

Matakohe is a settlement in the Kaipara district in the region of the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. The Matakohe River is a short tributary of the Arapaoa River, which flows into the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 12 runs through Matakohe. Ruawai is located 16 km west, Paparoa 6 km northeast. The Hukatere Peninsula extends from Matakohe in a southerly direction in the Kaipara Harbour.

The Kauri Museum in Matakohe is dedicated to the history of based on the felling of Kauri trees timber industry in the area.

2006, the place had about 400 inhabitants.

History

The area around Matakohe was first settled in 1863 by the Pakeha, arrived as members of the religious group of the Albert Lander in New Zealand. The land was reclaimed by burning for cultivation and pastures. A monthly, weekly boat service later returning post and it was a road built to Paparoa. 1881 was built in Matakohe for steam ships of the longest 440 m quay in the Kaipara Harbour. The Minnie Casey served Matakohe in the 1880s, the SS Ethel, followed by the S. S. Tangihua in the 1890s.

The extraction of fossil kauri resin came on to Matakohe in the years 1867-1970, so that the place may have been the first place in the Kaipara District, where it was mined. A flat mill for processing of New Zealand flax was built in 1870, but it was not economical and was soon converted into a sawmill. This was in the 1880s, replaced by a larger sawmill. This burned down in 1906. Matakohe held every February from a race day, came to the participants also from Kaiwaka and Waipu.

In the 1890s, the population of the settlement grew from 93 to 231, and the church has been called " the most important place in the Otamatea County ". 1902 there were two guest houses, a library, shops and a storehouse, a church and a school. The population reached 1906 264, declined until 1921 but returned to 141

In the early 20th century, the dairy industry grew in importance. The cultivation of apples was initially successful, but was abandoned around 1935 because of the Great Depression and mismanagement again. The roads have been improved and in 1920 were the entire 85 km gravel road. Here we use the local limestone deposits. The connection to Dargaville was opened in 1927 a road over Ruawai improved, replace the old one, further inland, running road.

Education

The Matakohe School is a primary school koedukaitve for the 1st to 8th grade with a decile rating of 5 and 82 pupils in the year 2009th The school celebrated the 125th anniversary in 2003. Over the years, the school merged with the schools of Ararua, Hukatere, Oparakau and Parahi.

In Matakohe there was in 1870 a school. She used initially a vestibule of the church and then went into the church, while a school building was erected..

Personalities

• Gordon Coates, 1925-1928 Prime Minister of New Zealand, was born on the Hukatere Peninsula and visited in Matakohe the school.