Matamata-Piako District

Matamata-Piako District is a local government area in the Waikato region of New Zealand. It lies to the east of the city of Hamilton.

Geography
The district encompasses the southern end of the Hauraki Plains and much of the Thames Valley, and is bounded in the east by the Kaimai Range. The rivers Piako and Waihou run through the district.

The towns of Matamata, Morrinsville and Te Aroha are all within the district, with the Council's head office based in Te Aroha. The main industry in the region is dairy farming and Thoroughbred breeding and training. Other communities in the district include Mangateparu and Waitoa.

Populated places
Matamata-Piako District consists of the following towns, localities, settlements and communities:


 * Matamata Ward:
 * Buckland
 * Gordon
 * Hinuera
 * Matai
 * Matamata
 * Okauia South
 * Okauia
 * Paratu
 * Peria
 * Piarere
 * Richmond Downs
 * Selwyn
 * Taihoa
 * Tamihana
 * Te Poi
 * Turangaomoana
 * Waharoa
 * Walton
 * Wardville


 * Morrinsville Ward:
 * Hoe-O-Tainui
 * Kereone
 * Kiwitahi
 * Kuranui
 * Mangateparu
 * Morrinsville
 * Motumaoho
 * Piako
 * Rukumoana
 * Tahuna
 * Tahuroa
 * Tatuanui
 * Tauhei
 * Te Puninga
 * Waiti


 * Te Aroha Ward:
 * Chudleigh
 * Elstow
 * Hungahunga
 * Manawaru
 * Mangaiti
 * Ngarua
 * Otway
 * Shaftesbury
 * Springdale
 * Te Aroha
 * Te Aroha West
 * Waihou
 * Waiorongomai
 * Wairakau
 * Waitoa

Demographics
Matamata-Piako District covers 1755.35 km2 and had an estimated population of as of  with a population density of  people per km2. people live in Morrinsville, in Matamata, and  in Te Aroha.

Matamata-Piako District had a population of 37,098 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 2,694 people (7.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 5,562 people (17.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 15,231 dwellings. The median age was 40.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 7,299 people (19.7%) aged under 15 years, 6,189 (16.7%) aged 15 to 29, 15,615 (42.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 7,986 (21.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 83.3% European/Pākehā, 18.6% Māori, 2.6% Pasifika, 6.9% Asian, 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders, and 1.0% other. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Matamata-Piako District had a population of 34,404 at the 2018 New Zealand census. There were 12,873 households, comprising 17,001 males and 17,403 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female.

The percentage of people born overseas was 14.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.4% had no religion, 35.8% were Christian, 0.9% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.9% were Buddhist and 1.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 3,204 (11.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 7,203 (26.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $32,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 4,221 people (15.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 13,566 (49.5%) people were employed full-time, 4,077 (14.9%) were part-time, and 876 (3.2%) were unemployed.

Twin cities
Matamata-Piako is twinned with:
 * 🇦🇺 Ballina, New South Wales, Australia