This is the place

Matakohe is a rural village with a small population which holds a large claim to Northland and New Zealand history.

Matakohe is home to the very popular Kauri Museum, and is also home to the Coates Memorial Church - a tribute to the first New Zealand-born Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Gordon Joseph Coates who was born and raised in Matakohe.

The world famous Kauri Museum documents and life and journey of the mighty kauri tree as well as charting the history of the people, area and community. The large complex houses magnificent displays, including steam sawmills and large mill machinery, kauri gum exhibits, a quality 1900's kauri house, extensive photographic collections, and historic buildings.

To learn more about the area, a ‘must read’ is the book ‘Child of the Kauri’ in which 95-year old Matakohe and museum matriarch Mavis Smith tells her story.

Mavis’ grandmother Catherine was the first European woman to step ashore at Matakohe as an Albertland settler. New Zealand’s first native born prime minister, Gordon Coates, was a neighbour and family friend.

'Child of the Kauri' is also the tale of Totara House, the elegant kauri villa and Mavis’ family home packed with treasures and memories. The house has been gifted by Mavis, through The Kauri Museum, to the people of New Zealand. This magnificent historical publication, written by Mavis and writer/historian Paul Campbell, is available at The Kauri Museum.

(Information courtesy of The Kauri Musuem, Matakohe)