Matamata College

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Matamata College
Location
Map

Firth St, Matamata

Coordinates37°49′02″S 175°46′12″E / 37.8173°S 175.7699°E
Information
TypeCo-ed state secondary, year 9–13
MottoQuality Education for All
Established1918
Ministry of Education Institution no.124
PrincipalAngela Sharples
School roll779
Equity Index477
Websitematamatacollege.school.nz

Matamata College is a co-educational state secondary school located in Matamata, New Zealand.

The college was declared open on 11 February 1924 by the Minister for Education, James Parr.[1]

In July 2012, a student was killed by a train after he ran out from several trees alongside the tracks outside the school.[2] In March 2025, a 13-year-old girl named Sarie Morton was struck by a train shortly after class at 3:15 PM.[3] Consequently, the mayor of Matamata-Piako, Adrienne Wilcock, stated that she was assisting authorities in regard to implementing protective measures, such as a trackside fences or barriers.[4]

As of October 2025, Matamata College has a roll of 779 students, of which 211 (27.1%) identify as Māori.[5] The school has an Equity Index of 477,[6] placing it amongst schools whose students have above average socioeconomic barriers to achievement (roughly equivalent to decile 4 under the former socio-economic decile system).[7]

  • Aerial and front view of Matamata College in 1978.

    Aerial and front view of Matamata College in 1978.

  • Aerial view of Matamata College in the 1940s

    Aerial view of Matamata College in the 1940s

  • Front of Matamata College in the 1950s

    Front of Matamata College in the 1950s

  1. ^ "New Building at Matamata - Opening by Minister". The New Zealand Herald. 11 February 1924. p. 9.
  2. ^ Ihaka, James (26 July 2012). "Matamata College student tragically killed by train near Matamata College". Waikato Herald.
  3. ^ Maher, Rachel (13 March 2025). "Sarie Morton named as student killed after being struck by train in Matamata". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  4. ^ Maher, Rachel; Garcia, Maryana (13 March 2025). "Mayor vows action after Matamata student dies in train tragedy near school". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  5. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  6. ^ "New Zealand Equity Index". New Zealand Ministry of Education.
  7. ^ "School Equity Index Bands and Groups". www.educationcounts.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  8. ^ Brown, Abby (17 July 2014). "Mum nets trip to see Casey win gold". Waikato Times.
  9. ^ "Lynnette O'Connor (Massey)". Matamata College. Retrieved 8 October 2017.