Matamata's power, explained
Powerco runs the lines
Matamata is on Powerco's lines. Its 24/7 emergency line is 0800 27 27 27; dial 111 in an emergency and stay at least 10 metres from fallen lines.
One grid line in
In 2018 Powerco said Matamata, Putaruru and Tirau are fed through Transpower's Hinuera substation on a single 110 kV line from Karapiro. When that supply is out, it can backfeed only about 2,900 connections in Matamata and Waharoa from its Piako substation.
A newer substation in town
Powerco's Matamata upgrade linked the town's two substations with a 33 kV underground cable and replaced the substation built in 1928 with a new one on Tower Rd.
An older, growing town
Matamata had 9,132 people in 3,696 dwellings at the 2023 Census, up 25.8% in ten years. Kāinga Ora finished 6 new homes on Broadway Road in 2024 and has sought consent for 8 more on Price Tce.
Dairy farm roots
In 1901 the Matamata Road Board counted 300 residents and 50 dwellings. By 1904 the Crown had taken over Josiah Firth's estate and split it into dairy farm units.
What Matamata households usually ask for
Lighting for getting around safely. Brighter lighting in hallways and bathrooms, two-way switches at each end of a hallway, and sensor lights on paths and steps.
Smoke alarms you can live with. Long-life photoelectric alarms, interconnected so one sets off the rest. Fire and Emergency suggests pressing each test button once a month, which is easier with alarms you can reach.
A switchboard with RCDs. Older boards often have none. Adding them is one of the most worthwhile safety jobs in an older home.
If you rely on power for medical equipment
Tell your power company now
The Electricity Authority says to tell your power company straight away and apply for medically dependent consumer status.
Have a backup plan
Talk to your health provider about what to do in a long outage. In a medical emergency, call 111.
What we'd do in Matamata
We'd start with RCDs on the switchboard and interconnected smoke alarms, because those protect you while you sleep. Then we'd light the routes you use at night. Small changes, done properly, make a house easier to stay in for longer.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.