History of The Matakana Market
Matakana Co-op Dairy Factory opened in 1902 and was in operation until 1963...
It was then used as a garage for the Omaha quarry until 1981 when it was purchased by the present owner John Fenton who is a potter by trade. By 1981 the property was run down, fortunately with the previous owners help they cleared 200 ton of scrap, truck chassis from the river, a mountain of truck tyres and even 3 cartons of dynamite were removed from the property.
THE MARKET
The idea of a Market on site was there from the very beginning due to the layout of the site and its central location. In 1981 the countryside was changing, and the Fenton family felt that a market space would offer an opportunity to people trying to establish themselves in the area. Matakana Village was a well-established service town to the hinterland and although there were a few detractors the Matakana Market idea always had a positive air to it.
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The Matakana Market started in 1983, it began with mostly family and friends that provided music, food and locally made art and craft. The format from the beginning has always been a general market with art, craft, plants, produce, music and food. Through the years it has had auctions, car boot sales, livestock, kittens, puppies and even budgies. As it continued it expanded to fashion, entertainment such as sideshows, clowns and merry go rounds. Morris dances, the early gypsy fairs and the Puhoi Bavarian Band every labour weekend.
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In 1989 the Matakana Community Scheme with the motto “the revival and survival of the rural communities” was established at the property. Alongside this the Matakana Studio set up with locals from the community running workshops on small business development, silk screening, photography, creative writing, pottery and more. The property also started its own organic garden to provide the market with produce and The Matakana Social Club hosted dances held at the Dairy factory.
In 1999 the Matakana Craft Co-op took over the running of the market with a membership of 60-80 members that ran the shop 7 days a week.
By 2000 the old Rodney country was changing with sealed roads and infrastructure accompanied by Auckland knocking on the door. The Matakana area has seen vast changes over the last 20 years but The Matakana Market itself is still here after 40 years along with other markets in the and around Matakana Village. We are still a general Market with many regular stall holders (some from the very beginning) and we try to carry on the tradition of giving everyone a go.