Our History
The first school operated as part of the mission station by a Mr and Mrs Creeke. By 1880 the school had come under the control of the Native Department, and was known as the Richmond Native School (the old name for the town), later to become the Matata Native School. The Tarawera eruption in 1886 resulted in roll growth for the school as many Maori families moved to fresh localities and Matata received its share.
As the population increased the Catholic Bishop of Auckland, realising that a large number of the Matata population was Catholic, approached the department asking that the school become a Catholic Mission School. The request was refused. However a mission school was opened in 1891 and three-quarters of the schools pupils left to attend the convent.
Throughout 1892 and most of 1893, typhoid fever, measles and infantile paralysis claimed many lives. The school remained open spasmodically during this time, but as families left the district it began to look as if neither of the schools would survive.
In 1894, a native school inspector advised that the school should be closed because of small attendance, the school did close. It later re-opened with an improved roll, then closed again in 1902. The following year interest in the school revived and the department was asked to open it with pupils from Otamarakau making up the required 25 pupils.
A timber mill starting up in the district in 1905 brought more families and more children for Matata School, and in 1912 pupils from Awakaponga and other small settlements started going to the school. At this time there were more European than Maori children and a petition was sought to make the school a board school. The department was not agreeable to the change and parents, unhappy with the decision, decided not to send their children there on the grounds that the building was old and should be condemned.
They made their point and a new school was ready for use in 1921.
For five years arguments raged as to whether the school would become a board school or a native school. Eventually, following an investigation, it was decided that the best interests of the school and its children would be served if the department continued its control.
A new flax mill opened in the district in 1934 and in 1944 local land subdivision brought an increase in population and more pupils. In 1944 plans were drawn up for further accomodation and improvements. These were officially opened in 1946 with additional classrooms and improvements following in 1950. in 1951 additional land was added to the school grounds.
A swimming pool was added to the school in 1957 and in 1961 land at the rear of the school was acquired and developed as a playground. further renovations were undertaken in 1963 and two additional classrooms built.
The school suffered a setback in 1999 when its administration block and senior classroom burned to the ground but fully recovered with new buildings and is now in the process of adding a new multi purpose block and improved school parking facilities.
