Founders Park

Where is it? 

24 Rawhiti Avenue, Matamata. Bordered by Manawa Street, Rawhiti Avenue, Ngaio Street and Tawari Street.

What is there?

Seating,commemorative planting, plaques honouring the founders of Matamata, specimen trees and steady paths through the trees. 

Things to keep in mind?

This is a dog exercise area - dogs may be off lead. Parking is available on Rawhiti Avenue and on side streets. There are no public toilets – nearest are at Hetana Street Reserve (2 min by car, 3 min by bike, 7 min walk). Founders Park is a popular venue for weddings - contact us to make a booking.

Jaycee Reserve

Where is it? 

35 Tainui Street Matamata.

What is there?

Small grass area, specimen trees and seating.

Things to keep in mind?

Dogs must be on lead, parking is available on Tainui Street. The railway line runs through the reserve so please watch out for trains. Nearest public toilets are at Hetana Street Reserve (5 min walk or 2 min drive via Arawa Street). 

Jim Gardiner Grove

Where is it? 

Corner of Rawhiti Avenue and Waharoa East Road.

What is there?

Small flat grassed area, raised garden, trees and shrubs and seating.

Things to keep in mind?

Dogs allowed but on lead. Nearest public toilets at Hetana Street Reserve ( 7 mins walk via Waharoa Road East and 2 min drive). Named after Jim Gardiner who helped community groups to beautify this spot.

Kaimai Drive Reserve

Where is it? 

Corner of Kaimai Drive and Tahawai Crescent, Matamata.

What is there?

The reserve consists of a small undulating grassed area and features a small Rhododendron garden, seating, and a footpath that cuts through the reserve. In addition, there are several specimen trees on site including Magnolia grandiflora, Quercus palustris, and Acer palmatum.

Things to keep in mind?

Dogs must be on lead, the nearest public toilets at Hetana Street (20 min walk via Tamihana Street and 3 min Drive via Tamihana Street). 

Kaimai Tunnel Reserve

Where is it? 

Located along Old Te Aroha Road north east of Matamata. 

What is there?

The area consists of a gravel parking area, Kaimai Railway Tunnel monument and garden.

Things to keep in mind?

Dogs must be on lead, there is no seating, toilet or rubbish bin available at the reserve. Nearest public toilets are along the Hauraki Rail Trail (3.9 km head Southeast on Goodwin Rd toward Old Te Aroha Rd), Wairere Falls (4.3 km head southeast on Old Te Aroha Rd) and Waharoa (13.1 km via Wardville Rd). 

Rapurapu Reserve

Where is it? 

Rapurapu Road, approximately 15 kilometres southeast of Matamata. 

What is there?

Facilities include a grassed area, picnic tables and mature trees. The District Plan identifies a stand of Poplar trees on the reserve as being significant.

Things to keep in mind?

No 4wd or motorbikes allowed, dogs must be on lead. Parking is located inside the reserve under trees. There are no public toilets – nearest public toilets are at Hetana Street Reserve (16 min drivevia State Hwy 29 and State Hwy 24) and Wairere Falls (18 min drive via Old Te Aroha Road).

New bollards and gates will be put in place at Rapurapu Reserve. During daylight savings time, the reserve gates will be locked at 9pm and unlocked at 8am. Outside of daylight savings time, the gates will be locked at 6pm and unlocked at 8am.

The loop track will be permanently closed to vehicles, and large trucks will no longer be able to turn around in the reserve.

Tainui Street Reserve

Where is it? 

Corner of Arawa Street and Tainui street.

What is there?

It consists of a grassed area with seating as well as ornamental plantings.

Things to keep in mind?

There is parking on Tainui Street or Arawa street. The nearest public toilets is located on Hetana Street (1 min walk via Arawa Street). Dogs must on lead at all times.

Tom Grant Drive

Where is it? 

Starts at Rawhiti Avenue and finishes at Tawari street.

What is there?

Facilities along the drive include seats, a fountain, play equipment and swings.

The reserve contains a collection of semi mature trees that include Idesia polycarpa, Ulmus procera, Gleditsia tricanthos, Liquidamber styraciflua, Acer palmatum, Liriodendron tulipifera, Albizzia julibrissin, Magnolia grandiflora, Melia azedarach and Eucalyptus spp.

Things to keep in mind?

This area is a dog exercise area - so dogs may be off lead. The nearest public toilets are located at Hetana Street Reserve (3 min drive or a 15 min walk via Ngaio St). Tom Grant Drive is maintained by the Tom Grant Drive Committee in conjunction with Matamata-Piako District Council. The committee is a voluntary organisation involved in development and maintenance projects on the drive.

Waharoa Rest Area

Where is it? 

SH27 Waharoa, five kilometres north of Matamata.

What is there?

The park is level, grassed, and contains several mature specimen trees. A sealed carpark, public toilets and swing set are located at the site.

Things to keep in mind?

Dogs allowed but on lead, the rest area also includes disability parking and a 24 hour toilet. It is also located  across the road from café’s and convenience stores. Parking for longer vehicles are along SH27.

Hetana Street Reserve

Where is it? 

Corner of Hetana street and Broadway. 

What is there?

Facilities at the reserve include a skate park, seats, public toilets, dump station for campervans, and a bus stop.

The Matamata i-SITE Visitor Information Centre is situated on the reserve.

Railside by the Green is also located on the reserve. Matamata's Community House, providing and supporting  a wide range of services to Matamata. These include being a home for Citizens Advice, Barnardo's and the Matamata Youth Worker. They provide a place for visiting agencies to base themselves. They have counselling services available and provide ongoing support to organisations in Matamata. They also have board rooms and office space available for hire. The Morrinsville Community House provide a variety of services including:

• Counselling
• Access to foodbanks
• Budgeting and legal referrals
• Educational/parenting courses
• School holiday programmes
• Adult literacy and ESOL programmes
• A link to the Hearing Association

Things to keep in mind?

There is parking on Hetana Street, Arawa Street and limited parking on Broadway Street. There is parking for longer vehicles e.g. minibuses and small-medium campervans within the reserve carpark at village green.

The Village Green can be booked for events, with a range of café’s and restaurants nearby.

Hetana Street Framework Plan

Centennial Drive Reserve

Where is it? 

The drive starts on Tainui Street, crosses Rata and Tamihana Streets, before finishing on Broadway (State Highway 24).

What is there?

The reserve consists of a flat grassed area with a water feature to mark the entrance of the Drive, numerous park benches, picnic tables and drinking fountains throughout, and gardens that line both sides of the drive (native and Magnolia gardens). It makes a lovely short walk, or a brief scenic drive.

Things to keep in mind?

The nearest public toilets at Hetana Street Reserve (11 min walk) and there are a few parking spots within the Drive. Regular planting and minor maintenance is undertaken by volunteers from the Centennial Drive Society, with Matamata-Piako District Council undertaking grass cutting, litter control, and major tree work. Centennial Drive is also a  popular venue for weddings - contact us to make a booking!

Banks Road Reserve

Where is it? 

Corner of Banks & Richardson Road.

What is there?

Grass area and neighbourhood playground.

Things to keep in mind?

Dogs are allowed but on lead. There is parking along Richardson Road, The park is still in a development stage - paths, furniture and trees still to come. Nearest public toilet at Hetana Street reserve (23 min walk or 4 min drive via State Highway 27. 

Furness Reserve

Where is it? 

Furness Reserve is located in north western Matamata off Everad Avenue.

What is there?

Seating, trees and a flat grassed area. 

Things to keep in mind?

There are currently no facilities at this park. Dogs are permitted off leash and the reserve also connects to Neil Algar Reserve & Pohlen Park.

Hawes Bush

Where is it? 

Located in the north eastern part of Waharoa on the corner of Walker Street and Mills Street, about five kilometres north of Matamata.

What is there?

The reserve is undulating and features a large stand of mature Kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydoides) that includes a walking track that meanders its way through the bush.

Things to keep in mind?

The Hawes Bush park is not wheel chair accessible, the track is narrow and flat and loops through the forest. Dogs must be on lead at all times. There is off street parking and on the grass outside the forest.   Volunteers are helping restore this forest by weeding and planting as it is ecologically significant. The nearest public toilets is at the Waharoa Rest Area.

Harold Catlin Reserve

Where is it? 

End of Jagger Road, Waharoa.

What is there?

Lowland podocarp forest with mature kahikatea and tōtara.

Things to keep in mind?

The forest is ecologically significant. Volunteers are helping restore this important forest by weeding and planting efforts. There is currently no track or other access for the public.

Hinuera Recreation Reserve

Where is it? 

4870 State Highway 29, Matamata 3472.

What is there?

Sportsfields - the Hinuera Rugby & Sports Club Incorporated lease this land for the purposes of sports fields and club activities.

The grounds are also used from time to time for non rugby uses. The rugby grounds are located immediately adjacent to the Hinuera Primary School, Hinuera Tennis Club and the Hinuera Bowling Club creating a precinct of sporting facilities.

Things to keep in mind?

In 2010 in order to maintain access to sporting facilities in the Hinuera settlement, Council purchased the land containing the No 1 rugby field and carpark and vested it as a Recreation Reserve. This reserve is also known as Weallan's Park.

Matamata Domain

Where is it? 

This Domain is located in central Matamata. Hohaia, Huia and Meura Streets form the east, south and west boundaries of the reserve, with Matamata Primary School forming the northern boundary. 

What is there?

The grassed sports field area is used for soccer and athletics. Tennis/netball courts are located in the south west corner, and the Matamata Sports Centre is located in the north west corner of the Domain. 

Things to keep in mind?

The first Domain Board was appointed in 1907. In the same year the newly formed tennis club received permission to use an area in the south west corner. After World War I, commemorative trees were planted on the site. Then in the 1930’s the site was completely resurfaced and leveled. As a part of the celebrations for the centenary of New Zealand, the Centennial Baths were constructed in the north west corner of the site.

In 1946 six first class tennis/netball courts were established on the existing site. The following year a new football field became available for soccer. Today the site continues to be used for netball, tennis, athletics and soccer, as well as for swimming and squash in the Sports Centre.

Athletics

The Matamata Athletics Club use the athletics track weekly during the summer months (late October to mid March). The Club use the football clubrooms and a small shed (located at the south end of the pool enclosure) for their meets and to store their equipment.

Football (or soccer)

The Matamata Swifts Football Club uses the grassed sports field during the winter months (March to October), and for Summer 5-a-side once a week in the evenings from October - December each year. The main football ground is north of the clubrooms. A second ground lies to the east of the clubrooms. The clubroom building is located adjacent to the tennis/netball courts on the north east corner.

Tennis/Netball

The hard court facilities are jointly used by the Matamata Tennis Club and Matamata Netball. The hard surface includes 7 tennis and 2 netball courts. The courts are enclosed by a high mesh fence, and lighting enables night use. Both clubs share a clubroom facility located between the courts and Huia Street. The courts are available to the public when not in use by either club.

Playground

This playground area contains a variety of mostly modular playground equipment, as well as bins, picnic tables and a drinking fountain.

Headon Hub indoor sports stadium 

The facilities within the Headon Hub indoor sports stadium include:

• 3 practice and 1 competition squash courts
• Squash clubrooms
• Separate changing facilities for squash and swimming
• A 25m indoor 6 lane pool (closed)
• An outdoor recreation/dive pool
• A 25m outdoor 8 lane pool
• A spa pool, and a heated plunge pool (closed)
• Administration and front of shop facilities
• Carparking for the facility is located on the adjacent school grounds

Matamata Domain is a popular venue for holding events - contact us to make a booking!

Pohlen Park

Where is it? 

This park is located between Western and Smith Streets.

What is there?

The site has a large sports field area, seating, playground, an indoor recreation facility (Headon Stadium) and carpark located at the end of Western Street.

Things to keep in mind?

The area was named Pohlen Park as a tribute to Mr Joseph Pohlen, a pioneer and benefactor of the town. The Pohlen Park Society transformed a swampy wasteland into a well kept sports area by levelling the humps and hollows and sowing a special grass seed mixture.

The Headon Sports Stadium built in 1974 was made possible by the generosity of Mrs E.M. Headon who donated $17,500. Contributions were also made by the public and a $10,000 grant from the Department of Internal Affairs.

In 1985 the Pohlen Park Society handed the park back to the former Matamata Borough Council.

Headon Sports Stadium

This facility is currently used by:

• Basketball
• Gymnastic
• Indoor bowls
• Badminton
• Other community groups from time to time

 In addition, the stadium contains changing rooms for sports field users.

Sports fields

During summer the sports field area is used by the cricket club, playing on three artificial cricket wickets, and the croquet club which has six courts and a clubhouse. In the winter, the sports field is used by the football (soccer) club. Sports field lighting is installed for night practice of football, including use by football clubs located at other sites in Matamata.

Waharoa Domain 

Where is it? 

This park is located at the corner of Mill Street and Mowbray Road in Waharoa.

What is there?

The park consists of large flat grassed area, with a former bowling green and clubrooms, a hard surface for skateboards and skate rail. 

Things to keep in mind?

Toilet facilities are available if the park is booked for an event.

Make a booking

Walton War Memorial Domain

Where is it? 

Walton War Memorial Domain is located on Walton Road in the township of Walton, approximately 12 km north west of Matamata.

What is there?

Walton War Memorial Domain is a highly developed site. The sealed carpark has ornamental plantings on one side, a memorial and low brick wall on the other. Facilities at the domain include four tennis courts.

Things to keep in mind?

At a Special General Meeting of the Walton Hall Society on September 26 1958 it was decided to form a Domain Board to be known as the Walton War Memorial Domain Board. The Domain was developed on the site of the former Creamery. A domain board no longer administers the site, and the only remaining active club on the site is the Walton Tennis Club.

Peria Road Reserve

Where is it? 

75 Peria Road, Matamata. There is an entrance to Stanley Farm Walkway, connecting Peria Road to Dawson Street.

What is there?

A memorial grove of kahikatea commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War and fallen soldiers from Matamata. Accessible path through grove. A fenced off-lead dog exercise area is behind the memorial grove.

Things to keep in mind?

Dogs may only be off lead inside the fenced dog exercise area and parking is along Peria Road.

The nearest public toilets are located at the Matamata Cemetery (Peria Road), Pohlen Park and Hetana Street. The Peria Road walkway is on the opposite side of the street and it is possible to walk from there to Neil Algar Walkway, Furness Reserve, and Pohlen Park.