Annual Event a Hit!

Sustainability Fun Day 2026 in central Matamata on 21 March raised the profile of solar power, electric vehicles, reusable nappies, home veggie gardening, recycling and biodiversity (and more), while providing visitors with a bit of fun, as the event name suggests.

Second Time Around Fashion Show at the 2026 Sustainability Fun Day in Matamata

The community gathering, organised by Sustainable Matamata, featured 26 stalls plus snacks, music and a Second Time Around Fashion Show. The event had a “country fair” vibe, according to some. It kept the kids busy and happy, said others. And it certainly pleased the many winners of prizes generously donated by local businesses (see below).

Lianne Edwards-Maas, co-coordinator of the Fun Day organisers, Sustainable Matamata, estimates about 600 people turned up for the activities and competitions on offer and to glean information and advice on how to live more sustainably. It was a beautiful sunny day to wander around the green by the oak trees on Hetana Reserve/Railside, says Lianne.

Watch out for more content on the Fun Day but, in the meantime, Sustainable Matamata gratefully acknowledge all those who donated prizes and other support. The main prize, worth $1500, consisted of:

• an Evening Banquet tour of Hobbiton for two adults (worth $460)

• a gift card to spend at Mitre 10 Matamata worth $300

• a voucher to spend at Farm Source Matamata also worth $300

• a painting of the Waikato by local artist Mia Smith, courtesy Sustainable Matamata and worth $180

• $150 to spend with Laser Plumbing Matamata, and

• a voucher for a massage from Kaimai Natural Health Centre, worth $110.

Other prizes were generously donated by:

• 64 Coffee & Kitchen

• Branching Out, Matamata hibiscus grower

• Guthrie Bowron Matamata

• Kaimai Garden Centre

• Matamata Butchery

• Merchant of Matamata

• Momento Espresso Café

• Opal Hot Springs

• Paper Plus Matamata

• Para Kore

• Rewiring Aotearoa, and

• The Warehouse Matamata (#HereForGood).

“We know how hard these businesses work and we understand that their donations go ‘above and beyond’ for our community,” says Lianne. “We don’t take this generosity for granted.”

Lianne also thanks Matamata-Piako District Council for its significant support, which underscores the importance of Sustainable Matamata’s work to reduce waste to landfill.

Mark your calendars for the 2027 Sustainability Fun Day: Saturday 13 March 2027