Tamaterau is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Whangarei, one of 52 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Tamaterau is the 28th largest suburb of Whangarei in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Tamaterau 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 1990 - 1999. Residential housing stock in Tamaterau is made up of approximately 89% residential housing and 10% lifestyle properties.