Taranaki region

The formation is exposed throughout large areas of the eastern hill country in central and south Taranaki. The upper Matemateaonga aquifers in North Taranaki are largely unconfined.  Elsewhere in the region, the aquifers are either confined or partially confined.  Flowing artesian conditions exist at a number of localities, particularly in a band of incised hill country bordering the ring plain from Toko south to Ohangai.  The Tertiary sediments that make up the inland hill country in the east of the region also underlie the volcanics deposits of the ringplain.  Extensive aquifers are found within sand and shell bed layers.

There are currently 21 consents to take groundwater from the Matemateaonga Formation aquifers. Water is taken for a range of uses including dairy farming, industrial and municipal water supply purposes. There is limited abstraction pressure on the Matemateaonga Formation aquifers at present. Monitoring by the Council indicates groundwater levels within the Matemateaonga Formation are stable.