| Matamata | |
 |
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| Coordinates: | |
| 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 total 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 bloodstock. It is part of the Matamata Piako district Matamata-Piako District Council, taking 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 film trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. 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. A "Welcome to Hobbiton" sign has been placed on the main road. By an unusual coincidence, the world's only other Matamata – Matamata, Tunisia – was a site used during filming of George Lucas's Star Wars trilogy.
Matamata is well known for its wide streets.
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 |
All Town Schools
Secondary Schools/Colleges
Intermediate Schools
Primary Schools
Pre School & Kindergarten
Religion Based Schools