After spending 78 years in Westport, Denis and I decided to make Matamata our new home – a place we’ve visited often thanks to our daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons living here. One of the big drawcards was the opportunity to enjoy motor homing, with so many fantastic destinations just an hour and a half away – Rotorua, Taupo, Hamilton, Tauranga, Waihi Beach, Ohope Beach, and plenty more.
For 20 years, our commitment to the Westport Motor Hotel meant we couldn’t travel as freely as we’d have liked. Once we retired, we purchased a motorhome and now have the freedom to explore wherever we choose. One of the perks of living at Matamata Country Club is the peace of mind – knowing we can simply lock up and leave our villa, confident it’s secure. Having motorhome parking onsite is a good bonus as well. This summer, we’re heading to Kaiteriteri Beach at the top of the South Island, and we’re hoping to tour the North Island in March and April. The village is patrolled five times a night by a security firm, which gives us great reassurance, especially while we’re off adventuring.
Since moving here in May 2025 we’ve been to an ANZ premiership netball game in Hamilton, the NZMCA Motorhome Caravan & Leisure Show, and the Waikato Home and Garden Expo. We can easily get to all of these events from Matamata.
Denis and I are embracing a whole new chapter of life. The community here is wonderfully diverse, and we’ve felt genuinely welcomed by everyone. One of the joys of village living is the chance to connect with new people, and Matamata Country Club makes that easy. Each month brings a lively calendar of events, including two happy hours and at least one outing to a venue – perfect for building friendships while still enjoying the independence of our own routines. Our next outing is to the Cambridge Stud Heritage Centre for a tour. Denis is loving his e-bike adventures, cycling up to 30km four times a week, and the nearby trails around Matamata are excellent for exploring.
We chose a site that sits directly across the road from the new clubhouse which is under development now. The residents are all enjoying watching the progress. Denis and I think anyone coming into the village will feel at peace as they come through the entranceway as there are five hectares of beautiful lawns and mature trees.
One of the great things about Matamata Country Club is their flexibility – you’re able to negotiate changes to suit your needs. We opted to customise the Te Miro floorplan, which includes two bedrooms, a media room and a lounge. To better fit our site, we repositioned the garage, gaining an additional 9m² beyond the standard layout. The villas here are generally more spacious than those in other retirement villages, and most come with double garages. We also made a few personal touches – swapping the stainless steel sink for a sleek black one and installing a tap with instant boiling water, so there’s no need to boil a jug. We even chose different fronts for a couple of pantry drawers. The cupboard and storage space throughout is outstanding.
If you are thinking of a retirement village, I would say don’t hesitate. All the residents are really lovely people and it is great to enjoy a different way of life.
