Matatā
Matatā is a town in the Bay of Plenty in the North Island of New Zealand, 24 kilometres (15 mi) to the north-west of Whakatāne. Much of the town was relocated between the years 2006 and 2021 due to increased natural threats arising from climate change. As an example of forced retreat, Matatā is seen as providing lessons for future actions elsewhere.[4]
Matatā | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Matatā beach | |
| Coordinates: 37°53′S 176°45′E / 37.883°S 176.750°ECoordinates: 37°53′S 176°45′E / 37.883°S 176.750°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Whakatāne District |
| Ward | Rangitāiki General Ward |
| Community | Rangitāiki Community |
| Electorate | East Coast |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Whakatāne District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.78 km2 (0.30 sq mi) |
| Population (2018 Census)[2] | |
| • Total | 678 |
| • Density | 870/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 3194[3] |
History and culture
Recent history
In 2005 the town was inundated by two debris flows from the Awatarariki and Waitepuru Streams that devastated a number of buildings, but did not cause any casualties. The debris flows were caused by a band of intense rain, at a rate of over 2 mm per minute, that fell into the catchments southwest of Matatā, dislodging a huge amount of debris that had built up behind a temporary dam.[5]
From January 2005 the area was subject to hundreds of shallow, low intensity earthquakes, with the most intense swarms occurring in 2005 and 2007, but continuing to at least February 2009. The largest event was of magnitude 4.2 in May 2007.[6][7]
In 2016, scientists discovered a large amount of volcanic activity, including "an inflating magma" buildup, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) below the surface of the town.[8]
In 2019, the name of the town was officially gazetted as "Matatā".[9]
Forced retreat under climate change
As a result of the 2005 landslides, Whakatāne District Council began to plan for a managed retreat over the next decade. The vast majority of residents accepted the need to relocate and did so with council assistance and compensation but as of October 2021,[update] one resident has rejected both the process and the need to move and is now the township's sole remaining occupant. NIWA coastal hazards expert, Rob Bell, says the general issue of forced retreat is primarily socio‑political rather than technocratic.[4]
Marae
Matatā has four marae:[10][11]
- Iramoko Marae and Te Paetata meeting house, affiliated with the Ngāti Awa hapū of Te Tāwera.
- Ngāti Umutahi Marae and Umutahi meeting house, affiliated with the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū of Ngāti Iramoko, Ngāti Umutahi and Te Tāwera.
- Ōniao Marae Tūwharetoa meeting house, affiliated with the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū of Ngāi Tamarangi, Ngāti Umutahi and Ngāti Manuwhare.
- Rangitihi Marae and Rangiaohia meeting house is affiliated with Ngāti Rangitihi.
In October 2020, the Government committed $1,646,820 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Rangitihi Marae and five other local marae, creating 10 jobs.[12]
Demographics
Matatā is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, and covers 0.78 km2 (0.30 sq mi).[1] Matatā is part of the larger Matatā-Otakiri statistical area.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 639 | — |
| 2013 | 648 | +0.20% |
| 2018 | 678 | +0.91% |
| Source: [2] | ||
Matatā had a population of 678 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (4.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 39 people (6.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 249 households, comprising 333 males and 348 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female, with 138 people (20.4%) aged under 15 years, 99 (14.6%) aged 15 to 29, 294 (43.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 147 (21.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 62.4% European/Pākehā, 56.6% Māori, 3.5% Pacific peoples, 3.5% Asian, and 0.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.9% had no religion, 40.7% were Christian, 3.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 63 (11.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 144 (26.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 72 people (13.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 234 (43.3%) people were employed full-time, 72 (13.3%) were part-time, and 27 (5.0%) were unemployed.[2]
Matatā-Otakiri statistical area
Matatā-Otakiri statistical area, which also includes Otakiri, covers 87.41 km2 (33.75 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,810 as of June 2022,[13] with a population density of 21 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,608 | — |
| 2013 | 1,671 | +0.55% |
| 2018 | 1,737 | +0.78% |
| Source: [14] | ||
Matatā-Otakiri had a population of 1,737 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 66 people (3.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 129 people (8.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 618 households, comprising 861 males and 876 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female. The median age was 41.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 378 people (21.8%) aged under 15 years, 279 (16.1%) aged 15 to 29, 801 (46.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 279 (16.1%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 74.8% European/Pākehā, 35.4% Māori, 1.7% Pacific peoples, 4.0% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.7% had no religion, 34.4% were Christian, 2.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 174 (12.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 291 (21.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $31,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 213 people (15.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 666 (49.0%) people were employed full-time, 234 (17.2%) were part-time, and 60 (4.4%) were unemployed.[14]
Education
Matata School is a decile 5 state primary school with a roll of 88 students.[15] St Joseph's Catholic School is a decile 2 integrated primary school with a roll of 37 students.[16] Both schools are coeducational and cater for years 1–8. Rolls are as of November 2022.[17]
References
- ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7015128–7015130 and 7015132–7015133.
- ^ "worldpostalcodes". Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ a b McClure, Tess (29 October 2021). "Forced retreat: one New Zealand town's fate highlights coming fight over climate adaptation". The Guardian. London, United Kingdom. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ McSaveney, M J (July 2005). The 18 May 2005 debris flow disaster at Matata: Causes and mitigation suggestions (PDF). Wellington: GeoNet.
mcsaveney
- ^ article: Jun 15 2005 – Earthquakes Near Matata 16 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ article: May 11 2007 – Renewed Earthquake Activity Near Matata 16 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Scientists discover magma buildup under New Zealand town". phys.org. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "Place name detail: Matatā". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
- ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Matatā-Otakiri (202000). 2018 Census place summary: Matatā-Otakiri
- ^ Education Counts: Matata School
- ^ Education Counts: St Joseph's Catholic School
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 December 2022.