The district has a rich physical, cultural and spiritual heritage for both European and Maori and dates back to first occupation of land in the district in 1776 by the great Ngati Haua chief Te Waharoa.

Little is known of the history of pre-European life in the district. It appears that inter tribal conflict was common at the time of arrival of the first Europeans. In 1833 missionaries established the first mission at Puriri, and later one at Matamata. Traders arrived during the 1850’s via the Waihou River. The first permanent European settlement was in 1865 when J C Firth established an estate of approximately 22,700 ha in size. He cleared land for agriculture, built a number of roads and cleared the Waihou River for navigation to serve his estate. Firth established a cheese and butter factory at Waharoa and laid the foundation for the dairy industry.

In 1880 Te Aroha became the centre of a short-lived gold rush. In 1881 when prospectors started to leave, the hot springs were developed and remain a popular tourist attraction today.

The occupation of land in the district has left a legacy of important links with the past. Historic heritage is important to our identity as a community. Knowledge of the past helps us to understand where we have come from. It is important that places and buildings which contribute to the District’s heritage resource be conserved, protected and recorded, as they provide a special identity and unique sense of place.

The values of Tangata Whenua are particularly important when defining the heritage of a district. The Matamata-Piako District has a rich Maori history, which has resulted in many heritage features of significance to Maori. Maori have different heritage values and requirements for how these resources should be managed.