Matakana and Omaha
Before the arrival of Europeans to the District, there were Maori settlements at Tawharanui, Omaha and Mahurangi. In 1841 a large tract of land, known then as The Mahurangi Purchase, was bought by the Crown from Hauraki tribes who claimed the land through earlier conquests.
Early European settlement was at Sandspit at the river mouth. Timber resources in upper Matakana (now Matakana Village) resulted in settlers moving up the river around 1848. By 1853 John Heydn was operating a saw mill at the falls on the Matakana River. During the mid 1850's, flax was harvested from the area. 1864 saw the establishment of the first public building in Matakana Village. This was the Presbyterian School, which served as a church on Sundays. The church has been relocated at The Matakana Country Park and is still in use. By the turn of the century ship building, fruit growing and farming were the main industries. A Dairy Factory was operational from 1902, the building is still used today, as a gift store. Clay from the area was made into bricks at the factory in Brick Bay, near Sandspit. In 1978, Anthony Morris and Sue James set up their pottery which grew to become of the town's largest employers and 35 years on one of its main tourist attractions. Source; Web. Matakana Information Centre Inc. (edited).
Early European settlement was at Sandspit at the river mouth. Timber resources in upper Matakana (now Matakana Village) resulted in settlers moving up the river around 1848. By 1853 John Heydn was operating a saw mill at the falls on the Matakana River. During the mid 1850's, flax was harvested from the area. 1864 saw the establishment of the first public building in Matakana Village. This was the Presbyterian School, which served as a church on Sundays. The church has been relocated at The Matakana Country Park and is still in use. By the turn of the century ship building, fruit growing and farming were the main industries. A Dairy Factory was operational from 1902, the building is still used today, as a gift store. Clay from the area was made into bricks at the factory in Brick Bay, near Sandspit. In 1978, Anthony Morris and Sue James set up their pottery which grew to become of the town's largest employers and 35 years on one of its main tourist attractions. Source; Web. Matakana Information Centre Inc. (edited).
Matakana Village 15 Oct 2013 Omaha Wharf 3 Sep 2016 Omaha Flats Church 1 Oct 2013