In 1910 a meeting of the Motu Valley Settlers Association decided to investigate holding a stock sale at Matawai. The first sale was held in Mr Mortleman's yards at Matawai on 20 February 1911, with an offering of 4,900 sheep, 150 cattle and a number of horses. The prices realised and the sale was considered satisfactory. Successful stock sales continued to be held in Mr Mortleman's yards until 1914 when sale yards were erected near the Matawai railway station. The Matawai Co-Operative Saleyards Company Limited was incorporated on 4 February 1914 to manage the yards and sales.

The sale yards initially had facilities for loading railway wagons, and subsequently road stock trucks. A number of sales were held each year, for example in 1919 sales were held on 20 Jan, 10 Feb, 10 Mar, 7 Apr and 22 Sep. Mainly sheep were sold, some cattle, horses and occasional dogs. Farmer Co-Operative members usually maintained the yards and their wives catered for those attending sales, from a cook house (wood fired!).

The Matawai sale yards no longer operate, farmers now preferring to sell privately or at Matawhero sale yards. The Matawai Co-Operative Saleyards Company Limited was removed from the Companies Register in March 1999. The gazette notice indicated that the company had ceased business, discharged in full its liabilities and distributed its surplus assets in accordance with its rules.

Aerial view of the Matawai Sale Yards, September 1953.
Railway wagons are at the bottom of the image, old Motu Road at top. Sheep sale pens right of image beside trees. Cattle sale pens and loading race for railway left of image. Parking area with cook house building center. Holding paddocks beside railway yard.
Source: https://retrolens.co.nz

Sheep pens of the former Matawai Sale Yards in 2019.