Mataura is a small community in Southland with a population of 1,650 and a median age of 40. Median personal income is $36K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Pacific Peoples. Southland population estimates moved +1.2% in the year ended June 2024, after averaging +0.8% a year from 2018 to 2023, which should be read as a broader regional movement backdrop rather than suburb-level migration precision. The resident employment base moved from 804 in 2018 to 816 in 2023 (+1.5%), which should be read as a census-to-census employment backdrop rather than a live jobs series. Te Waihanga's December 2025 Pipeline snapshot tracked over 12,000 NZ infrastructure initiatives, with more than 2,700 under construction and transport taking 52% of projected 2026 pipeline spend, which should be read as a broader national delivery backdrop rather than a suburb-specific project list.
Median weekly rent in Mataura is $430 (430 houses, 280 units). This represents approximately 62% of median weekly personal income.
Livability indicators for Mataura: NZDep decile 9 (high deprivation); 1 school with avg EQI 514.
In 2026, Mataura recorded 0 building approvals (0 houses, 0 units), down 100% year-on-year.