Establish Place Champions network group - This network group would act as an opportunity for groups to share ideas, be connected to resources, and to build relationships. The ‘network’ activities would be interactive, experiential, and hosted in various locations across the Town Centre (not your usual networking meeting)

Matamata community can take the lead on making their Town Centre more vibrant                     

Community Groups

Planning is underway for with this Place Champion network group which the first meeting expected early 2024.

Event Kit establishment - Purchase event kit; high quality bean bags, trestle tables and chairs, play equipment, sound equipment, gazebos that can be used at all POP or community events

Matamata community can take the lead on making their Town Centre more vibrant

Community Groups

Some event kit has been purchased and is being utilised for POP events, it is also available to be used for community events. Additional kit requested by the community for events will be considered and provided where possible.

Social seating - Mid-Arawa Street crossing Install additional seating at the Arawa Street crossing in social layouts (benches facing each other), additional trees in pots for shade

Matamata’s Town Centre has a thriving social life; day and night, and for all ages

Matamata’s Town Centre is safe and easy to access on foot, bike or scooter for all ages and abilities

Local Businesses

Planning for social seating is underway with a preferred site undergoing final checks. This project has received Transport Choices Funding through Waka Kotahi and will be popping up before July 2024.

Water from businesses initiative - ‘Refill NZ’ Work with local businesses to establish a ‘Fill your drink bottle for free’ scheme so people have easy access to water

Matamata’s Town Centre supports a thriving local economy and celebrates its unique main street.

Refill NZ

Local Businesses

Matamata is a Refill NZ town with the following venues opting in: Sofra Turkish Restaurant, Merchant of Matamata, Robert Harris, Eat Café, Railside by the Green and Momento Café.

The drinking fountains around town have also been added to Google Maps to make their locations more accessible to the community and visitors to town.

This project was delivered with the help of Transport Choices Funding through Waka Kotahi.

Install bike racks in Town Centre - Install Sheffield bike rack in 2-3 locations in the Town Centre

Matamata’s Town Centre is safe and easy to access on foot, bike or scooter for all ages and abilities

Cycling Community Groups

Four bike racks and a self-service bike repair station have been installed in the following locations across the Matamata CBD:  Matamata i-SITE on Broadway, Swim Zone Matamata on Meura Street and outside the Matamata-Piako Civic and Memorial Centre on Tainui Street.

This project was delivered with the help of Transport Choices Funding through Waka Kotahi.

Pop-up Play opportunities at The Domain - Engage a specialist play facilitator to create a series of play-based activations in The Domain

Matamata’s Town Centre has a thriving social life; day and night, and for all ages

 Matamata’s Town Centre green spaces are well-used and celebrated

Matamata Futures

Community Groups

Schools

The Pride of Place team are working in partnership with Matamata Futures to support the development of the Matamata Domain playground upgrade.

Watch this space to give feedback on a concept for the playground in mid-late October.

Cycling activation series - Work with specialist delivery partners to deliver a series of cycling activities such as; learning to ride (for adults + kids), pop up skills track, cycling activity kit, bike maintenance, guided rides

Matamata’s Town Centre is safe and easy to access on foot, bike or scooter for all ages and abilities

Community Groups

Bike Day Out was a community event lead by Council staff and a number of community groups, small businesses and road skills coaches.The event was to kick start a month-long trial of a new bike network and foster plenty of sharing of helpful honest feedback about biking in Matamata and how to make it better.

This project was delivered with the help of Transport Choices Funding through Waka Kotahi.

Libraries Storywalks Trial - Work with Libraries to test routes for their Town Centre Story Walks project, which has separate funding to do the permanent installations. Opportunities to connect to Mana Whenua and community groups

Matamata’s Town Centre has a thriving social life; day and night, and for all ages

 Mana Whenua identity and stories can be seen in Matamata’s Town Centre

Community Groups

Two locations were tested using prototype story boards and Swap Park proved to be the preferred location.

Installation of the final boards will take place in mid to late September 2023.

Develop POP microgrant scheme - This microgrant scheme will offer groups to apply for funding up to $5,000 for activities that deliver on the POP Matamata Objectives. This fund also offers the POP team to respond to good ideas that haven’t been specifically included as items in this Action Plan. Year 2 offers more funding while the programme is being set up

Matamata community can take the lead on making their Town Centre more vibrant

Community Groups

Local Businesses

Planning is underway to have the scheme available in 2024. External funding is being investigated.

Activate laneway between Hetana Street + Arawa Street

Work with the building owners adjacent to the walkway to install artwork or wayfinding on the walls, fences or ground.

Matamata’s Town Centre is safe and easy to access on foot, bike or scooter for all ages and abilities.

Staff are working with a community champion for this project