Matamata

Matamata is a small rural town on the North Island of New Zealand and with 6,000 inhabitants, is one of the largest villages in the Matamata - Piako District in the Waikato region.

The community of about 12,000 inhabitants and is located about 23 kilometers east of Cambridge. The region around Matamata is famous for the breeding of thoroughbred horses. Only 6,000 people live in the city itself, the rest lives in the rural environment. Hamilton is about 60 kilometers from Matamata.

A farm area outside the city served as the location for the trilogy The Lord of the Rings as Hobbiton in the Shire and therefore is now a tourist attraction. In addition, the city offers the opportunity for many recreational activities such as horseback riding, swimming, squash, golf and fishing. A popular tourist destination, the thermal springs Opal Springs.

Education

Matamata has a State Primary School, a Christian Primary School, an Intermediate School and College. The college has about 800 students, mostly farmers and children from the area. Casey Williams, a very well known Netballspielerin, is a former student. The Matamata College has many international exchange students.