Matata is a petite coastal town located in the Bay Of Plenty, North Island of Aotearoa - New Zealand. The town is situated 24 kilometres to the north west of Whakatane. According to the 2001 Census, the population of Matata was 666 and continues to rise.
Matata is lucky to have the Rangitaiki Plains along it's back bone which has undergone some extensive forestry works over the last 5 years. From our house, we were able to wake to the adorning of clusters of pine trees and beautiful native flora. Now the land is etched away and only a small group of pine trees gather at one of the peaks along the plains which is said to be a burial ground for one of the oldest tupuna to our iwi and hapu.
We have a beautiful view of Mount Putauaki (Edgecumbe) and commit to predicting the weather judging by the appearance of Mount Putauaki. If Putauaki adorns a cloud above it's head than it is said that we are in for some wet weather, if we can see Putauaki clear as days, we are lucky to have great weather. Something that I grew up knowing was when we couldn't see Putauaki at all than we were to stay close to home.
Early in the year 2005 the town was dramatically hit by a freak flows of debris said to be sourced by two of the local streams Awatarariki and Waitepuru. The natural disaster ripped through the little town causing major damage to local residents houses and vehicles, carrying what ever lay in it's path and putting them to rest in the middle of what was known to many as Te Awa O Te Atua - now known as the Matata Lagoon. The residents of Matata were evacuated immediately with the help of close friends and whanau and the civil defence units. Most residents stayed to tautoko those who had lost their homes and to clean up what mother nature had destroyed. The aroha and awhi from everyone near and far was great and has never been forgotten.
Fortunately, there were no human casualties. Intense rainfall was said to be the main cause of the debri flow that fell into the catchments southwest of Matata, dislodging a huge build-up of debris in a temporary dam that had formed over time.
Locals have been slowly rebuilding Matata from the ashes of the debris and continue to work together and support one another in restoring and rebuilding their lives.
Matata has been undergoing major changes in terms of the Matata Lagoon Restoration programme. Work has been conducted on the Matata Lagoon by J Swaps Contractors in clearing debris, and restoring the Lagoon to it as close as a natural state as possible. Many of the locals have been heavily involved including local kaumatua and kuia, local residents in replanting native plants and also the department of environment.
Matata's lagoon has been restored and you can now see the wildlife returning. Ducks have come home, herons and the pukekos. Opposite the local petrol startion there has been a new memorial plaque erected that tells the history of Matatas restoration work. It also houses a new picnic area for locals and tourists to enjoy whilst looking over the newly developed lagoon. This is often inhibited by the new local family of geese and over weight ducks. Fish 'N' Chips seem to be their weakness.
