Matarau is a locality in Northland, New Zealand. Kamo is to the southeast.^[1][2] The area is changing from farmland to lifestyle blocks.^[3]

The name "Matarau" means many points or many spears.^[4]

Matarau statistical area covers 104.42 km² (40.32 sq mi)^[5] and had an estimated population of 3,010 as of June 2023,^[6] with a population density of 29 people per km².

Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a larger boundary, covering 108.39 km² (41.85 sq mi).^[5] Using that boundary, Matarau statistical area had a population of 2,979 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 426 people (16.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 702 people (30.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 999 households, comprising 1,545 males and 1,434 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 42.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 663 people (22.3%) aged under 15 years, 435 (14.6%) aged 15 to 29, 1,434 (48.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 444 (14.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.7% European/Pākehā, 15.8% Māori, 1.8% Pacific peoples, 2.6% Asian, and 2.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 14.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.5% had no religion, 35.2% were Christian, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 450 (19.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 342 (14.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 510 people (22.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,209 (52.2%) people were employed full-time, 405 (17.5%) were part-time, and 60 (2.6%) were unemployed.^[7]

Matarau School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1-8) with a roll of 257 students as of February 2024.^[8][9] The school was founded in 1877 as Ruatangata East School. Otakairanga School amalgamated with Matarau School in 1949, and Ruatangata West School also closed in favour of Matarau in 1973.^[4][10]