Matapouri

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Matapouri is a small coastal settlement on the Tutukaka Coast in Northland, New Zealand. It sits about 7 km north of Tutukaka and 35 km northeast of Whangārei. The place is known as a classic Kiwi holiday spot, with about 90% of homes being holiday houses. In holiday seasons the population swells far beyond the permanent residents.

History and today: The area’s early European settlers worked in timber milling and transport. The first school opened in 1899 and the first shop in 1912. Te Wai o Te Taniwha, also known as the Mermaid Pools, was a popular tourist attraction but was closed in 2019 by local Māori authorities after visitors left toilet waste and rubbish.

Size and people: Matapouri covers about 1.76 square kilometres. In mid-2025 it had an estimated population of around 210 people. It is part of the larger Matapouri-Tutukākā area, which covers about 78.5 square kilometres and had around 1,900 people in 2025.

Demographics: In 2023 Matapouri had about 207 residents. The community is mainly European, with a significant Māori presence. English is the main language, with some Māori spoken. The area tends to have an older population, and many residents have post-high school qualifications.

Marae and hall: Matapōuri Marae serves local Māori groups, and Te Tokomanawa o te Aroha is a meeting house there. The Matapouri Hall, rebuilt in the 1970s, has long hosted community events, church services, polling, and gatherings.