- Matamata
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Matamata Coordinates: 37°49′S 175°46′E / 37.817°S 175.767°ECoordinates: 37°49′S 175°46′E / 37.817°S 175.767°E Country New Zealand Region Waikato Territorial authority Matamata-Piako District Ward Matamata Electorate Waikato Government – MP Lindsay Tisch (National) – Mayor Hugh Vercoe Population – Urban 6,309 Time zone NZST (UTC+12) – Summer (DST) NZDT (UTC+13) Postcode 3400 Area code(s) 07 Matamata is a rural Waikato town in New Zealand with a population of around 12,000 (6,000 in rural areas, 6,000 in the township). It is located near the base of the Kaimai Ranges, and is a thriving farming area known for Thoroughbred horse breeding and training pursuits. It is part of the Matamata-Piako District, which takes in the surrounding rural areas as well as Morrinsville and Te Aroha. State Highway 27 and the Kinleith Branch railway run through the town.
A nearby farm was the location for the Hobbiton set in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The New Zealand government decided to leave the Hobbit holes built on location as tourist attractions, since they were designed to blend seamlessly into the environment. They have no furniture, but can be entered, and vistas of the farm can be viewed from inside them.[1] A "Welcome to Hobbiton" sign has been placed on the main road.
Matamata is also the home of various media outlets, including studios for tvCentral, TV Rotorua and iTV Live, which is unusual for a town of such size.
Contents
Media
- tvCentral
- Scene
- Matamata Chronicle
Association football
Matamata is home to Matamata Swifts who compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1A.
Schools
Secondary schools
Intermediate schools
- Matamata Intermediate
Primary schools
- Hinuera School
- Firth Primary School
- Matamata Primary School
Religious schools
- Matamata Christian School
- St Josephs Catholic School
Notable people
Nearby towns
See also
References
- ^ "Matamata Area Guide". http://www.exploring.co.nz/North_Island/Waikato/Matamata/. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
Categories:- Waikato Region
- Populated places in New Zealand
- Double-named places in New Zealand
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