Located in the Bay of Plenty region
For those wanting to bird watch head to the Matatā Wildlife refuge. There's a shelter to sit in and observe the birdlife. Birdlife includes the elusive Matuku/Australasian Bittern or Mātātā/Fernbird, you'll also see swans, geese and oystercatchers.
Matatā is on the coast of the Bay of Plenty, 24 km west of Whakatane, or 70 km from Tauranga.
Matatā means "dividing waters". Before the Rangitaiki Plains were drained the Rangitaiki River ran into the Tarawera River, and originally the area was known as Te Awa o Te Atua, or the River of the Gods.
| Whakatane Office | |
| Phone: | +64 7 307 2770 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | easternbop@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
9 Louvain Street Whakatane |
| Postal Address: |
P O Box 457 Whakatane 3120 |
| Full office details | |