Recent news items
This index of news items runs back about FOUR MONTHS. If you wish to view stories older than four months ago, go to the News Archives page »
NZ newspaper reports: Click here to read the latest news about Motueka that's been reported in NZ print media (presented via Google News).
Changes made from draft amalgamation scheme
(February 1st): The Local Government's Reorganisation Scheme for the Union of Nelson City and Tasman District, unveiled yesterday, includes several changes to the draft scheme which was debated on this website last spring. Full article »
Nelson-Tasman amalgamation vote to go ahead in April
(January 31): A new local government structure for the Nelson and Tasman area, to be called the Nelson Tasman District, has been approved by the Local Government Commission which will be put to the electors of both districts for approval in separate polls. Full article »
Fire volunteers make flower baskets a success
(January 30): One of Motueka's success stories for the summer holiday period has been the hanging flower baskets along much of the High Street retail strip, and special thanks are due to the voluntary members of the Motueka Rural Fire Brigade. Full article, photos »
Cuts and delays to services proposed in TDC's long term plan
(January 29): Money-saving cuts in services and delays in new projects are proposed in the new draft of Tasman District Council's Long Term Plan, which is being released for consultation from late February. Full article »
Camera Club photos showcased in cinema slideshow
(January 27): The State Cinema and the Camera Club have joined forces to display a set of quality photos being shown before films, showcasing local talent and landscapes. Full article »
Tourism Rate to be spread across all Tasman ratepayers
(January 26): The Tasman District Council is proposing to change the way it collects the current Targeted Tourism Rate, which would lead to a $20 rates increase to general ratepayers. Full article »
TDC appoints Lindsay McKenzie as new CEO
(January 24): The Tasman District Council today announce the appointment of Lindsay McKenzie to the role of Chief Executive. Mr McKenzie is currently Chief Executive of Gisborne District Council. Full article »
Schoolchildren to be rewarded for positive behaviour
(January 24): Four local schools are ready to launch a scheme with Motueka businesses to reward students for good behaviour around town. Full article »
Happy faces, loads of fun at Teddy Bears Picnic
(January 23): The crowd was down slightly on last year's event, but the happy faces and energetic play of the children - and their parents - at Thorp Bush on Saturday around lunch time spoke of another successful family celebration. Article, photos »
Community support sought to extend cycle trail
(January 23): Further work is under way to build community and business support for the funding of the extension of the Great Taste Trail cycle path from Mapua to Motueka and Riwaka. Full article »
Motueka abuzz after choral concert
(January 21): It might have been a poor choice, spending yesterday's lovely evening indoors. It turned out to be well worth the sacrifice and much more than the $20 admission to our local Memorial Hall. Enriching. Really. Full article »
No answers yet on how to revive pipfruit industry
(January 18): Local fruitgrower groups are finding that getting agreement among beleaguered orchardists on how to pull the pipfruit industry out of the mire is proving more difficult. Full article »
Nelson City CEO announces resignation
(January 18): Nelson City Council Chief Executive Keith Marshall yesterday announced his resignation from his role, effective mid-April, saying it was "in order to make myself available for other opportunities" which he did not disclose. Full article »
Another king tide swamps Motueka Spit
(January 13): A large tide with the big seas was washing over the Motueka Sandspit today. The driftwood teepee still stands, however, protected doubtless by the AB's flag. Article, photo »
Womens education programme to address family conflict
(January 10): Feeling alone and confused in your relationship? Feeling unsafe, frustrated, unheard or abused? Find yourself wishing you were supported and treated in a more respectful way? Full article »
Group seeks help to tackle affordable housing issues
(January 6): A group led by the St Andrews Uniting Church is seeking expressions of interest from residents and organisations in a community-led development to address the undersupply of "affordable housing" in Motueka. Full article »
Classy art exhibition a 'positive' start to 2012
(January 4): The annual art exhibition by members of the Motueka Art Group was opened last night, displaying an even higher quality of artworks by local hobbyists and professional artists than last year's successful event. Full article, photos »
David Wratt awarded New Year Honour
(December 31): Motueka-raised climate scientist Dr David Wratt was today named in the New Year Honour list, awarded The Queen's Service Order (QSO) for services to science.
Full article »
Wakatu chases food and beverages export dollars
(December 30): Wakatu Inc has spent $1.5 million on raising the profile for its new Kono NZ LP subsidiary, to chase food and beverages export dollars, according to a major article published last weekend in The Press and the Dominion Post. Full article »
Art Group ready for their 2012 exhibition
(December 28): The annual three-week exhibition of the Motueka Art Group will open at the Chanel Art Centre on Tuesday January 3rd, offering another wide range of paintings and other works my local amateur and professional artists. Full article »
Supreme Christmas lights award to Motueka home
(December 24): Two Motueka homes were among the four with the the best Christmas lights displays in Nelson and Tasman, with Maree and Ricky Smith of 46 Glenaven Drive being judged and voted the Supreme Winner. Full article, photos »
A year in the life of a community website
(December 23): Motueka Online has been running publicly for just on two years now, and we'd like to think it's become a part of the fabric of our lovely town. Evidence suggests this is so, at least for a fair number of residents. Full article »
Local agencies aim to research family violence
(December 22): A proaction cafe held on Tuesday December 6th at Te Awhina Marae was part of a broader Family Violence Prevention initiative being progressed by the Motueka Collaboration of Agencies. Full article »
Plans for big Children's Day celebration in Motueka
(December 22): A big effort is being planned by Linda Grew of Strengthening Families to encourage the whole of Motueka to celebrate Children's Day (Te Ra O Te Tamariki) on Sunday March 4th next year. Full article »
Amalgamation decision now five weeks away
(December 21): The decision by the Local Government Commission (LGC) whether or not to proceed to a vote on the amalgamation of Tasman and Nelson councils will be made on January 31st. Full article »
New plan proposed for Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve
(December 20): The layout and management of the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve is under review, and the revised development plan and the draft reserve management plan will be available for review and comment over summer. Full article »
Sunflower plantings to brighten community gardens
(December 19): A small but enthusiastic group of children and parents planted about 60 sunflower seedlings at the Motueka community gardens yesterday as part of a New Zealand-wide sunflower project. Full article, photos »
Kaiteriteri waterskiiers have new time limit
(December 16): Tasman District Council is trialling a new systems of priority times for water skiers at Kaiteriteri Beach this summer. This exception to the normal bylaw provisions is in force between December 16th and February 28th. Full article »
Tetchy meeting ends year for community board
(December 14): Motueka is suffering from Christmas-buildup pressures if yesterday's Community Board meeting is any indication, with numerous short exchanges in the public forum and board meeting proper producing a tetchy atmosphere. Full article »
i-SITE donation will smarten up southern roundabout
(December 13): A welcome donation by Motueka i-SITE will be used by Keep Motueka Beautiful to improve the landscape gardening within the High Street South roundabout, making the approach to Motueka more attractive. Full article »
Councils propose joint waste management and minimisation plan
(December 12): The release of the proposed Joint Waste Management and Minimisation Plan is a call for real behavioural change in the communities of Nelson and Tasman. Full article »
Carols by Lamplight draws even bigger crowd
(December 12): Motueka's very own, unique community carols event - Carols by Lamplight at Dyke's woolshed in Lower Moutere - threatens to become a victim of its own success with attendance this year meaning a packed building and standing room only. Full article, photos »
No evidence to back claims of toxic dumps
(December 11): Allegations that toxic materials had been dumped in at least two gravel pits near the Motueka River have been investigated by the community board and council and found to be unsubstantiated without supporting evidence. Full article »
Flat refusal for traffic lights deeply worrying
(December 9): A death or serious injury at the intersection of High Street with Pah and Greenwood streets is very likely if NZ Transit Authority continues to refuse the installation of traffic lights there, according to community board chairman David Ogilvie. Full article »
New rating valuations for TDC properties available
(December 9): The valuation rolls for Tasman District have been revised by Quotable Value Limited. The revised Rating Values are effective as at 1 September 2011 and the new notices of valuation will be posted to owners and ratepayers from today. Full article »
Submissions made to Green Paper for Vulnerable Children
(December 9): Several local people have made comments on the government's Green Paper for Vulnerable Children, and the Community & Whanau group is collating for a group submission in February. Full article »
Need seen for on-site social workers at GPs
(December 8): An on-site social worker at GP clinics such as Greenwood Health can provide valuable services to patients with wider needs, according to a report from Jolene Salmond about her recent student work placement at the clinic. Full article »
Full results from wet A&P show
(December 8): The 2011 Motueka A&P Show faced the challenge of running through very wet weather on Sunday, and considering the persistent rain especially into the afternoon the attendance was good. Full list of results »
Christmas in the Rec Centre
(December 5): After weeks of spring and summer weather, a bad weather forecast for this year's Christmas in the Park on Saturday caused the games and entertainment indoors from Goodman Park into the Recreation Centre. Photos »
Another big Starlight Parade crowd
(December 3): The annual street highlight of the Motueka calendar, the Starlight Parade, again drew a large crowd last night, with young families and young people enjoying the occasion. Article, photos »
Ceremony marks arrival of 'Best Town' award
(November 27): After nearly a year's wait, Motueka finally celebrated the winning of the "Best Town 2010" vote with a small cake-cutting ceremony and speeches at the Sprig & Fern this afternoon. Full article, photos »
The history of the Sprig & Fern, formerly Harts Bake House
(November 27): When Harry and Bertha Hart opened their modern bakery in 1925, little would they know that 87 years later there would be a lane named for them and that the bake house would be a community bar popular with locals. Full article, photos »
Wet weekends - no worries for Tramping Club
(November 27): The prospect of a trip being cancelled is more than many trampers can bear - they are even more determined to get into the hills when the only alterative offered is a wet weekend at home. Full article, photos »
Community survey highlights possible service gaps
(November 25): Most Motuekans believe they are part of a caring and safe community, but have suggestions for ways it can be approved, according to a recent survey by the high school Year 10 Community Issues class. Full article, results »
Aussie dog movie to show as SPCA fundraiser
(November 24): A hit movie about a legendary dog, Red Dog, in the Australian outback is coming to Motueka shortly in a fundraising performance for the SPCA. Full article »
Council decides not to set up Maori ward
(November 24): Tasman District Councillors have decided after much consideration not to initiate a Maori ward before the Local Government elections set down for 2013. Full article »
Preparations under way to complete inlet walking circuit
(November 23): The final stage of Keep Motueka Beautiful's five-year plan to surround the Estuary Inlet with a walking and cycling path is just about ready to proceed, and should be completed in mid-2012. Full article »
Festive events getting close now
(November 22): Three of the annual highlights of the Motueka calendar - Christmas in the Park, the Starlight Parade and the A&P Show - are approaching quickly, and a lot of organisational effort is going into centrepiece street parade on 2nd December. Full article »
Arts Council wins environmental award
(November 21): The Motueka Arts Council has won the $1000 Community Award at the Nelson/Tasman enviromental awards for the Welcome to the Godwit celebration it organised in September. Full article »
Tasman Bay beach clean clears 7.5 tonnes of rubbish
(November 21): Around 540 people took part in the in the Tasman Bay Big Beach Clean-up held on Saturday 19 November for the second year. They collected 7.5 tonnes of rubbish from 295 kilometres of coast from Abel Tasman National Park to Cable Bay. Full article »
Review of the property sales market in the Motueka area for November
(November 19): Locally last month saw a typical spring jump in listings, with a 32% increase in the number of properties listed in September when compared with August. This was also another strong month with 24 sales in the immediate Motueka area. Full review »
Good crowd appreciates meeting the candidates
(November 17): Secret tape recorders were not needed at the Meet the Candidates debate in Memorial Hall yesterday, with the five candidates giving clear accounts of themselves to an appreciative audience of 65 people. Full article, photo »
Upgrade for Kaiteriteri Road at last
(November 17): The most dangerous section of the Riwaka- Kaiteriteri Road at Turners Bluff, is to be re-engineered over the next four to five months. Full article »
Riwaka features on National radio programme
(November 17): Riwaka featured in a 40-minute "Your place" spot on today's Radio New Zealand National's Afternoon show with Jim Mora, with fascinating interviews with three of the town's best known characters. Article, hear the interviews »
Big clean up of Tasman Bay beaches this Saturday
(November 15): Hundreds of Nelson-Tasman locals will be out collecting rubbish off beaches this Saturday 19th November in a big community coastal clean-up, including beach zones bordering Motueka. Full article »
Our Town Motueka gears up for festive celebrations
(November 13): Our Town Motueka is gearing up for a busy time over the next month, to make sure Motueka shows and enjoys a vibrant retail and celebratory atmosphere for visitors and locals. Full article »
White Ribbon anti-violence campaign to visit Motueka
(November 11): Get Safe Motueka is preparing for White Ribbon day with plans to welcome motorbike riders from around the South Island at the museum forecourt with guest speakers, music, coffee and muffins on the High Street. Full article »
Tasman Council's reporting seen as a model for others
(November 10): TDC's Annual Report for the 2009/10 year has been identified with 5 other Regional, District and City Councils as better than most, particularly in terms of performance reporting. Full article »
High Street improvements unlikely in foreseeable future
(November 9): Motueka will likely have to wait a very long time for any improvements to traffic flow in High Street or a town bypass, under current government policy for road spending. Full article »
Community garden allotments off to flying start
(November 8): People renting allotments at the Motueka Community Gardens have made a flying start in transforming an old waste paddock into productive vegetable garden patches. Full article »
Motueka roller hockey players win gold medals at national champs
(November 8): The re-birth of Roller Hockey in Motueka has commenced with a successful weekend in Whanganui by two Motueka youth, Tiegan Maru and Brodie Maru, earning gold medals at the 2011 National Roller Hockey Championships. Full article, photos »
State of Motueka's streets again questioned
(November 6): The standard of Motueka's streets continues to annoy residents, and the Community Board will consider a recommendation to either improve the maintenance or reconstruct some of the worst maintained streets. Full article »
Community carers to submit ideas on vulnerable children
(November 3): Improving the lives and prospects of our community's most vulnerable children is an issue to be considered by Motueka's Community & Whanau group over the coming months. Full article »
Growing demands for Family Service Centre programmes
(November 3): There has been an increase in demand for budget advice and family support services offered by the Motueka Family Service Centre over the past year, bringing with it increased pressure on the organisation's capacity to respond. Full article »
Easier access to TDC building staff in Motueka
(November 2): Residents of Golden Bay and greater Motueka will soon be able to call on the services of a Building Consent Officer in their local Council offices. Full article »
Tasman District Council maintains its sound financial performance
(November 2): The assets of the Tasman District are worth in excess of $1 billion - one of the many highlights within the Council's Annual Report for the 2010-2011 year. Full article »
Subsidy rejection means Motueka's water supply reticulation on hold
(October 27): The long-running debate over the reticulation of Motueka's water supply has taken another turn, with the Department of Health turning down an application by Tasman District Council for a $4 million subsidy to part-fund what many residents feel is an unwanted project. Full article »
Big community needs assessment under way
(October 27): Motueka's a great place ... but it could be better. But what would make it a better community for us to live in? What is missing? Answers to this question are the focus of a Community Needs survey under way at present. Full article »
Playhouse Cafe to host pre-election political debate
(October 23): New Zealand is turning it focus towards the upcoming elections to be held on November 26th. The Mapua and districts community association and the Playhouse Cafe have joined forces to provide a political platform for the Tasman/West coast candidates to express their views, policies and answer a few questions. Full article »
Options for cycle trail route present potential problems
(October 20): The route of the new Tasman Cycleway through Motueka is still very much an open question, with few of the alternative paths under consideration currently satisfying requirements. Full article »
WINZ offers self-serve computers to clients
(October 20): Work and Income Service Centres are making it easier for people to access services and assistance, with self-service kiosks now installed in most centres in the region, including at Community Link in Motueka. Full article »
New chairman for Motueka's Community House
(October 20): Ron Sharp has relinquished his long-standing role as chairman of the Motueka Community House and handed over the reins to Grey Power representative Barry Simkin.
Full article »
Schools, businesses to promote positive behaviour around town
(October 19): A new community initiative developed by Motueka's schools is shortly to be launched, ready to start operating in February 2012, that will see businesses help reward students for good behaviour around town. Full article »
Port Motueka development plan a step closer
(October 15): A proposal for significant developments at Port Motueka advanced a small step this week when Motueka Community Board members voted to add it as a submission to TDC's Long Term Plan early next year. Full article »
Review of the property sales market in the Motueka area for October
(October 14): REINZ data on the New Zealand housing market for September showed 5,235 unconditional sales for the month, up 21.1% compared to September last year but only 43 higher than for August 2011, a modest result given the lift usually expected during spring. Full review »
It's all positive at Arts Council ideas forum
(October 14): Arts Council organisers and Our Town Motueka were very pleased with the outcomes of a community brainstorming meeting held on Wednesday for ideas on new and improved art-related events in Motueka. Full article »
Historical Assoc relive a day at the movies
(October 14): Tucked away in a very large shed at the back of a residential property is a piece of Motueka history and on Saturday the Historical Association went to see it. More to the point, we went to the movies - shown on the projectors saved from the fire that destroyed the Majestic Theatre in Motueka in 1983. Full article, photos »
Small project list still up in the air
(October 13): The items to be funded through the targeted "small projects" rate for the Motueka ward have still not been finalised, with the Community Board deciding to thrash out the options further at another closed workshop. Full article »
Desperate pipfruit orchardists banding together
(October 13): Desperate and disillusioned Nelson pipfruit orchardists are reactivating their old fruitgrower associations in a bid to press for change to the way their industry operates, according to a Nelson Mail article. Full article »
Valley landowners ask for review of management plan
(October 12): Motueka Valley landowners will meet next week to gauge the level of community support for a review of the Tasman Resource Management Plan (TRMP) so as to enable owners to have more than one dwelling on their land without requiring council consent. Full article »
Serious pollution claimed due to illegal dumping at CJs
(October 12): Alarming claims that Motueka's aquifers have been seriously polluted by illegal dumping at CJ Industries' pit near the Motueka River dominated the public forum before yesterday's October meeting of the Community Board. Full article »
Community grants for Motueka less than other wards
(October 7): The list of Community Grants recipients for 2011 from the Tasman District Council suggests that the Motueka ward received less than its ratings-based share for funds for community programmes. Full article »
Community leaders learn five ways to wellbeing
(October 7): Community leaders attending the October Community & Whanau meeting on Wednesday learned of a new mental health initiative supported by Health Action Trust Nelson called "Five Ways to Wellbeing". Full article »
Big beach clean-up day set for November
(October 5): A call is going out for groups to sign up for a big community spring clean of Tasman Bay beaches being run for the second year. Full article »
Grey Power to host meetings on elections, referendum
(October 3): Believe it or not, the rugby will soon be over and we'll be left with something else to ponder about apart from Dan Carter's groin - the general elections and MMP referendum. Full article »
i-SITE numbers remain strong despite challenges
(October 1): Despite harder economic times, the number of visitors using Motueka i-SITE increased in the past year, thanks to focused marketing and a stable sales force with growing product knowledge. Full article »
This index of news items runs back about FOUR MONTHS. If you wish to view stories older than four months ago, go to the News Archives page »
