Matawai is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Gisborne, one of 61 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Matawai is the 27th largest suburb of Gisborne in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Matawai provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1910 - 1919. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 1950 - 1959. Residential housing stock in Matawai is made up of approximately 73% residential housing and 27% lifestyle properties.