Matarau is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Whangarei, one of 52 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Matarau is the 43rd largest suburb of Whangarei in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Matarau provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1900 - 1909. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 2000 - 2009. Residential housing stock in Matarau is made up of approximately 7% residential housing and 93% lifestyle properties.