The small village of Matakohe lies close to the picturesque shore of the Kaipara Harbour which is located on the north-western coast of New Zealand’s North Island. This scattered rural community is surrounded by the scenic Kauri Coast, an area which is sparsely populated and formed of gently rolling, and lightly wooded hills. Matakohe is a popular tourist destination and is located 140 kilometres north-west of Auckland. The village is home to approximately 400 inhabitants and provides visitors with B&B accommodation, motel and camping facilities, cafes and a few places of interest. The attractions include the Kauri Museum which displays many items of interest which relate to the former kauri timber industry, the Matakohe Museum which is housed in the restored Post and Telegraph Office and reflects the history of the village, and several heritage buildings which add to the colonial charm of the community. The buildings include the Pioneer School which was built in 1878 and today is complemented with desks, chairs and school materials, and the original Matakohe Church which was built in 1867.
Matakohe was established in 1862 and the residents originally confined their efforts to cattle farming, bush felling and gum-digging, but today this popular destination draws over 90,000 visitors to its interesting Kauri Museum.
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