Matauri Bay () is a bay in New Zealand, situated 30 km north of Kerikeri, in Whangaroa county, just north of the Bay of Islands. It has over a kilometre of white sand and crystal clear water, making it a popular summer destinations for surfers, divers, fishers and holidaymakers. History and culture Early history Some of the first Polynesian navigators to New Zealand landed at Matauri Bay. It was a site of early Māori contact with Europeans, such as with the missionary Samuel Marsden in 1814. Rainbow Warrior The Rainbow Warrior was given a final resting place near Matauri Bay, at the Cavalli Islands. It has become a living reef, attracting marine life and recreational divers. The idea was first proposed by the New Zealand Underwater Association. It seemed a fitting end for a ship that had spent its time protecting the marine environment. It was towed north with a patched hull on 2 December 1987. Ten days later, a crowd of well-wishers looked on as it was given a traditional Māori burial. Now home to a complex ecosystem, the Rainbow Warrior has become a popular dive destination. The local Māori community maintains its guardianship and conservation. In a few years, the Rainbow Warrior became an integral part of the environment it helped protect. Marae The Matauri Bay area has two marae. Mātauri or Te Tāpui Marae and Ngāpuhi meeting house is a meeting place of the Ngāpuhi hapū of Ngāti Kura and Ngāti Miru, and the Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa hapū of Ngāti Kura. Te Ngaere Marae and Ngāi Tupango te Hapū meeting house is a meeting place of the Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa hapū of Ngaitupango. Demographics The SA1 statistical area which includes Matauri Bay covers . The SA1 area is part of the larger Whakarara statistical area. The SA1 statistical area had a population of 201 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 51 people (34.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 66 people (48.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 54 households, comprising 99 males and 99 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 33.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 42 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 57 (28.4%) aged 15 to 29, 84 (41.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 18 (9.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 32.8%