Town Profile

Photo Credit: MAD on New Zealand

Doing Business in Matamata

Matamata’s attractive town centre has an array of retailers and services, sprinkled with a wide variety of food and hospitality outlets. The centrepiece is a magnificent horse sculpture, initiated by community group Keep Matamata Beautiful, near the town clock (Broadway/Arawa St) intersection.

Chamber of Commerce

The central horse sculpture was unveiled in 2021, and it represents the strong connections Matamata has to the horse racing industry. Racing Matamata celebrated its centenary in 2019. The horse sculpture has become a symbol of Matamata, tying in with its existing slogan – “The Town That’s Racing Ahead”.

Made entirely from recycled materials, the iconic piece was created by Te Aroha-based sculptor Adrian Worsley. The Horse Sculpture brings back the identity and foundations of what Matamata was, and is – the horse racing capital of New Zealand.

Creative insight inspires effective messaging and, with the sculpture, Keep Matamata Beautiful has created a theme of achievement, championing and winning. This was achieved through the pose of the jockey on a race horse in full flight at the winning post.

The sculpture pays homage to the many high achievements Matamata has produced across the racing industry. It creates nostalgia and builds a memorable experience for visitors and locals alike. This piece is embraced by champions. It is a reflection of proud, high achievement and translates that Matamata is a town built on winning and moving ahead.

The Horse Sculpture is an undeniably eye-catching monument which warms and overwhelms its audience through its creativity and aesthetic stature. It pays homage to a century of achievement in horse racing by the champions of the area.

Matamata also boasts one of the country’s most outstanding and unique visitor attractions in the Hobbiton Movie Set. A selling point for this country around the world, Hobbiton has to be seen to be believed. From humble beginnings as part of a sheep farm on the outskirts of Matamata, Hobbiton Movie Set has developed into a world-famous tourist attraction. The set was created for filming of the award-winning movie series, with incredible attention to detail. Hobbiton Movie Set features the funky Green Dragon Inn and the magnificent Mill on a comprehensive two-hour tour. Bookings can be made at the Matamata isite.

Matamata, uniquely situated in the Golden Triangle of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, has some fantastic natural features on its doorstep including the spectacular Wairere Falls and beautiful Blue Spring.

The latest leg of the Hauraki Rail Trail adds Matamata to the network which includes Te Aroha, Paeroa, Waihi and Thames. Matamata isite can organise aspects such as bike hire and shuttles for trail-users.

Take a dip or even stay a while at Opal Hot Springs and enjoy a round of golf at neighbouring Matamata and Walton golf clubs.

Find out more about the area’s rich history at Firth Tower Museum.

Accommodation options include good quality motels and a plethora of bed and breakfast establishments.

Matamata is also the ideal staging point for trips to the beach or skifield, or on to the regular tourist stops of Waitomo, Rotorua and Taupo.

The isite boasts a comprehensive selection of pamphlets on other parts of the country, plus handy maps. The wonderful team in the iconic Gatehouse on Broadway can also get you on board Intercity and Waikato Regional Council buses to destinations including Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua.

Explore Matamata?

At the Matamata isite we have created a number of premade Itineraries for you to explore for your convenience. These Itineraries explore the local area at a variety of budgets to cater for all. Explore the wealth of what Matamata has to offer.

Itineraries
 

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For Locals

Browse and learn about all the great businesses in Matamata, and connect with community groups and events.