Matakana Country Park

Matakana Country Park is an indoor and outdoor events venue on Leigh Rd. in Matakana, north of Auckland, New Zealand. The privately owned estate covers about 20 hectares and sits a 50-minute drive from central Auckland. Entrepreneur John Baker bought the property in 2002, developing it as a family destination and events site; the park opened under its current name in 2005. Baker’s idea followed a visit to Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island.

A 2016 plan change allowed the grounds to operate as a country park, tourist attraction and community events venue. Brendan and Kim Coghlan took over from Baker in 2019, with Kim involved in daily management. The site holds about 12,000 people and consent for ten outdoor special-entertainment events over five years, each with attendance between 5,000 and 10,000. Its facilities include The Stables restaurant, Smiths bar, a café, equestrian spaces, shops, a playground and miniature train rides. The Stables hosts live music and DJ events as well as private functions.

Electronic music events have used several stages at the park, including Sonorous Festival in 2020. Hidden Valley, an annual dance-music festival held there since 2018, features techno and drum and bass alongside international and New Zealand artists. The 2024 edition was its eighth. Creative Hospitality Group, founded by Kim and Woody in 2010, operates The Stables Matakana and Smiths Matakana at the park.