MATAKANA VILLAGE

In 2002 locals Richard and Christine Didsbury purchased the old Matakana timber yard, with a vision to transform the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it rural service spot into a destination village with heart. A place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy special times with family and friends.

After working with the community to establish a thriving farmers’ market, the couple invited award-winning architect Noel Lane to create a village complex that respected Matakana’s rhythm and history, while linking the main street to the largely forgotten riverside.

The result is a world-class village with small town charm, full of beautifully landscaped open spaces and gathering places for the vibrant local community.

The surprise jewel is the spectacular arthouse cinema complex, featuring three dramatic theatres: the Paradiso, with a ceiling of 10,000 paper roses; the Roxy, draped in romantic fabrics from ceiling to floor; and the Tivoli, with a stunning centrepiece of an 800kg chandelier.

Downstairs, the village square hosts an intriguing selection of independent specialty shops. You won’t find chain stores in Matakana Village; our retailers are passionate about their carefully curated collections of art, homewares, fashion, jewellery and gifts.

With food stores, beauty therapy, a chemist and eateries-a-plenty, Matakana Village has everything you need for your perfect weekend escape.

The Matakana Village Farmers’ Market was founded on one simple premise: local people, selling locally-produced food.

Founders Christine and Richard Didsbury and permaculture pioneers Joe Polaischer and Trish Allen (formerly of Rainbow Valley Farm), had a vision for a market that would celebrate the natural bounty and creative, entrepreneurial spirit of the Matakana region. A rustic market square on the river’s edge, where locals and visitors would come together to meet, talk and connect across locally-milled macrocarpa counter tops and old wine barrels.

Central to the market philosophy is food provenance: we care about the origins of the food we eat, so at the Matakana Market you know the person selling the produce had a hand in making it too.

Our producers are passionate about what they do and each one can spin a yarn or two. You’ll find down-to-earth country folk working side-by-side with urban escapees and visionary foodies. The Matakana Village Farmers’ Market has already served as an inadvertent incubator to a number of well known gourmet brands – who knows who might be next?

From the beginning, we’ve worked hard to make our market zero-waste and in 2017 our vision became a reality. So bring your friends and a reusable bag or two and savour the magic of the Matakana Village Farmers’ Market.