Major city · New Zealand
Matawai
Skip Matawai unless you're cycling the Motu Road Trail, kayaking the Motu River, or tramping to Manganuku Hut. A half-day stop is enough.
Matawai is a tiny village on State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Opotiki, with fewer than 100 residents. It's a base for outdoor adventures: the 67 km Motu Road Trail, the Motu River for kayaking, and the Manganuku Track to a basic hut. Dining is limited to daytime cafes and a camp store. Most travellers pass through without stopping.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NZD
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (cold and wet, some tracks may be muddy)
- Airport
- GIS
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Matawai111 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Matawai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD, NZ$).New Zealand-wide
- SIM or eSIMOne NZ, Spark and 2degrees sell tourist SIMs at Auckland and Christchurch arrivals and in supermarkets; passport not required.New Zealand-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe almost everywhere; follow boil-water notices in small rural schemes.New Zealand-wide
- TippingCafé or restaurant: Nothing expected; 10% for very good service at dinner is a bonus.New Zealand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.New Zealand-wide
- SafetyMatawai is very safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in every town and at most lookouts; DOC long-drops on tracks.New Zealand-wide
- Emergency numbers111 police, fire, ambulance · 105 Non-urgent police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 17:00 and on Sunday afternoons…Shops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 5:00 PM and on Sunday afternoons…New Zealand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGIS Gisborne Airport (About 1 hour drive west on SH2).
- Getting aroundYou need your own vehicle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Hard Drive CafecheckNZ$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealCamp store basics (bread, milk, snacks)NZ$5–15 (≈ US$3–9)
- Budget bedBasic hut bunk (Manganuku Hut), a night, per personNZ$5 (≈ US$3)
- Mid-range bedBasic hut bunk (Manganuku Hut), a night, per personNZ$5 (≈ US$3)
- High-end bedBasic hut bunk (Manganuku Hut), a night, per personNZ$5 (≈ US$3)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NZ$60 (≈ US$40) · Mid NZ$120 (≈ US$75) · High NZ$200 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GIS Gisborne Airport (About 1 hour drive west on SH2)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jul
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Aug
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Sep
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jul (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Aug (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Matawai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Jun
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Jul
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Aug
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need your own vehicle. SH2 runs through the village; the Motu Road Trail starts nearby. No public transport within the village.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Opotiki
goDoor to door: 45 min
Drive east on SH2, about 45 min
Gateway to the Bay of Plenty and the Motu River mouth.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Matawai village
Matawai Camp and a DoC campsite at Manganuku; limited options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NZ$50–80 (≈ US$30–50) (camping, self-catered)
- Mid
- NZ$100–150 (≈ US$60–90) (camping, cafe meals)
Trip budget
| Campsite (tent or campervan)2 × 1 night × NZ$15 | NZ$30 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × NZ$60 | NZ$120 |
| Petrol, Gisborne to Matawai return (approx 120 km)1 × NZ$25 · check | NZ$25 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NZ$18 |
| Trip total≈ NZ$97 per person per day, bed included | NZ$193≈ US$120 |
Matawai Camp or DoC Manganuku Campsite; non-powered.
2026 estimate in NZD; flights and vehicle hire excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Hard Drive Cafecheck | NZ$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Camp store basics (bread, milk, snacks) | NZ$5–15 (≈ US$3–9) |
| DoC hut ticket (Manganuku)check | NZ$5 (≈ US$3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No fuel station in Matawai; fill up in Gisborne or Opotiki.
- Cell phone reception is patchy; download maps offline.
- Motu Road Trail is a gravel road; check conditions after rain.
- Manganuku Hut is a basic 6-bunk hut with no booking; bring a sleeping bag and stove.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 111
- Non-urgent police
- 105
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MatawaiMatawai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ki tēnei wāhi, koaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance111
- Non-urgent police105
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gisborne to Matawai by car: about 1 h, 60 km (37 mi)about 1 h, 37 mi (60 km)
- Opotiki to Matawai by car: about 45 min, 50 km (31 mi)about 45 min, 31 mi (50 km)
Say or show
- Kia ora — Hello
- Kia ora — Thank you
- Āe — Yes
- Kāo — No
English is spoken everywhere.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Matawai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (cold and wet, some tracks may be muddy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Matawai
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