Matamata

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/matamata

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Where is Matamata?Waikato, North Island, New Zealand
2. How many people live in Matamata?Approximately 9,540 (as of June 2025)
3. What is the key economic drivers?Thoroughbred horse breeding and training, tourism (Hobbiton Movie Set), dairy farming
4. What is the major transport links?State Highway 27, Kinleith Branch railway
5. What is Matamata famous for?Matamata is famous for breeding top Thoroughbred horses and for being the home of the Hobbiton movie set, where the Shire from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit was built.
6. Why is Hobbiton in Matamata?After the movies were filmed, the New Zealand government decided to keep the Hobbit holes open for visitors, turning the farm into a tourist attraction that people from all over the world can visit.

Thoroughbred Horse Breeding: The specialized practice of selectively breeding horses for racing, focusing on speed, stamina, and temperament.
Hobbiton Movie Set: A permanent film set located near Matamata, New Zealand, serving as the fictional Shire from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.
Equestrian Industry: The collection of businesses and activities related to horses, including breeding, training, racing, and sales.