November 25, 2023
Matakana is a picturesque little village about an hour’s drive north of Auckland. Matakana is generally translated from the maori as meaning ‘distrustful’ or ‘watchful’. More specifically, mata means face and kanakana is an expression made by bulging the eyes and tongue to intimidate. It is the expression the All Blacks make when performing the Haka before rugby games. Matakana was originally the name of a pa (fortified village) at the mouth of the Mahurangi river. Despite the fact that the pa was not particularly close by, Pakeha (European New Zealanders) apparently borrowed the name when naming the river and village that stands on it.
On Saturday mornings, there is a bustling market that is well worth a visit.
The village sits directly on a river which is resident to a large number of eels. This one was on the lookout for a feed.
There were some cool English vintage cars on hand and one not so vintage American one.
Just outside the village is the Morris and James pottery studio / workshop. We dropped by after the market.
Matakana is a big oyster farming area, so we picked up a fresh dozen at this roadside shop. The oyster enthusiasts in the group declared them to be particularly fresh and delicious.
Mal and Lauren 