Matata maybe small, but it's a small loving community full of surprises. You'll never be able to miss the beat here in Matata especially when there are so many things for you and your family to enjoy.
Earlier in the month of November as always, Blue Light and the Local Hero's of the town our one and only volunteer Fire Fighters put on a spectacular Guy Fawkes Display. It was amazing, my family and I were able to take a small picnic to enjoy. There was a huge bonfire set up in the middle of the field opposite the Saint Joseph's Catholic Primary School. An ideal spot I believe as the huge crowd that attended that night were easily managed and well under control not to mention very very well behaved.
Blue Light had set up a sausage sizzle and lollie and drinks table that was operated by the Local Nga Whaiaipo Netball Team. Congratulations wahine ma for your hard work. The night was a most enjoyable event and we were even graced by the presence of manuhiri (visitors) from Tokoroa who were students from the Catholic School who were staying at one of the Local Marae for a noho for 3 days. Thank you so much tamariki ma and whanau for supporting our local events.
There's always something happening in Matata, you just have to know where to look:
Coming Up Events are:
- Matata Xmas in the Park - Held at the Matata Rugby and Sports Club 13th December 2009
- Matata Village Market Day - Held next to the Matata Hotel Arawa St commencing 14th November 2009 (ongoing event)
- Matata Lagoon Restoration Programme - Currently operating along Arawa Road watch this space for regular updates
Another great event that took place this month was our big hikoi up to Mount Tarawera and Ruawaahia. This great event took place on Sunday the 15th of November 2009. The day started very early with an estimate leaving time at 0830 hours. My whanau and I were all packed and ready to go well ahead of time thanks to some great organisational skills and lunch making the night before.
The weather indicated that we were in for possible showers and some definite gail winds. With my whanau in tow we walked casually down to the local Aunties Cafe to meet 2 of the 98 seater buses that were booked for us to take all the whanau up to the Maunga. We met our lovely bus drivers who greeted each and everyone of us with a great big smile and an enthusiastic conversation about the grim looking weather prospects. Needless to say, they knew that we were in for a big hike up the Maunga.
Even with 1 big bag full of enough kai to feed the whole tribe and drink to water all the plants in Matata, we still managed to stop in at the one of the 3 local shops to purchase breakfast which consisted of mince and cheese and steak pies and something light to read on the way to the Maunga. A quick toilet stop before departing and approximately 100 - 130 Ngati Rangitihi Whanau left Matata for the day on a mission towards hiking up Mount Tarawera.
A quick 40 minute drive later with a couple of whanau pick up stops on the way we had arrived at the bottom of Rerewhakaitu to prepare ourselves for our day. Karakia and korero from trustee members and kaumatua saw us all blessed with the one mission on hand to celebrate our whakawhanaungatanga and to honour our Maunga Tarawera and Ruawaahia.
I admire our whanau who chose to walk the 10 kilometres to the top of the crater good on you all whanau. As for me and my whanau, we chose the moderate 4wd option that was enjoyed by all who attended. A marquee was set up and the BBQ fired up as whanau gathered round and listed to stories about the history of our maunga. Whilst some chose to stay at our make shift base, others were brave enough to walk one of the many treks available around our Maunga.
Helipro contractors were also present with one of their many helicopters to take whanau members for $25 dollar tours. Judy and Charlie were our 4wd guided tour contractors who provided the transport up and down our maunga and have secured another few years of lease on the maunga aswell.
After a good old fashion kai, sausage, bread and sauce, we packed up our belongings and made way for our departure back down the maunga. As fast as the ride up the maunga, it was just as fast going down the maunga. A great day had by all involved. There will be another whanau day up the maunga coming up early march 2010, so watch this space for details on how to book your seat on the next tour.
More recently Matata hosted its second annual sunshine festival. Even though the weather was a downer, plenty of people still turned out to make the event another success. Entertainment and food stalls were again at the helm of suprises. Organisers from the BlueLight committee and Resource Centre were congratulated for not cancelling the event due to the bad weather. The people still came and enjoyed themselves. Look forward to next years festival.
Do you have an important event coming up that you want everyone to know about, contact us via our contact us tab and we can advertise for you on here for free. That is what this website has been created for to support local businesses and community services and events.
