Matata, New Zealand

Matata

Matata is a town located in the North Island of New Zealand. The town is 24 kilometres to the north-west of Whakatane. The population of Matata in the 2001 Census was 666.

In 2005 the town was inundated by two debris flows sourced in the Awatarariki and Waitepuru Streams. Although the disaster devastated a number of buildings, there were no human casualties. The cause of the debris flows was a band of intense rain (>2 mm/min) that fell into the catchments southwest of Matata, dislodging a huge build-up of debris in a temporary dam that had formed over time.

Matata School is a decile 5 state primary school with a roll of 77 students.^[1] St Joseph's Catholic School is a decile 2 integrated primary school with a roll of 28 students.^[2] Both schools are coeducational and cater for years 1-8.

Since January 2005 the area has been subject to hundreds of shallow, low intensity earthquakes, with the most intense swarms occurring in 2005 and 2007, but continuing as of February 2009. The largest event was of magnitude 4.2 in May 2007.^{[3] [4]}

References

1. ^ Te Kete Ipurangi schools database: Matata School
2. ^ Te Kete Ipurangi schools database: St Joseph's Catholic School
3. ^ article: Jun 15 2005 - Earthquakes Near Matata
4. ^ article: May 11 2007 - Renewed Earthquake Activity Near Matata

External links

• 2001 Census information

Coordinates: 37°53′S 176°45′E / 37.883°S 176.75°E / -37.883; 176.75