Questions and answers about things past in Motueka
From time to time we all wonder about things we see around town. What was that building originally used for? When did that structure get moved? Who first ran that shop in High Street? When did this festival or event originate?
These pages provide a way for you to ask the questions you've always wondered about, and to give answers to questions to which you know the answers (or can help).
• Answer: Just run down the list of questions below - if you're interested in a question and think you can shed some light, simply click on the link to do that.
• Ask: And if you want to ask a question of your own, click here »
Question 10:
We came across a headstone which simply read Our Muriel at a small cemetery while on a Sunday drive in the Orinocco/Pokororo area - Beatson and Brereton families amongst others were buried here. Does anyone know who Muriel was and anything about her? - Ann Mac
Send your answer here »
Question 9:
St Peter Chanel School: I'm Scott from St Peter Chanel School. I want to know if there was a building before our school or was it farm land?
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Question 8:
Aspects of Motueka's history: We have a whole lot of questions here asked by pupils at Motueka South School as part of a class project. Read them here and if you have any answers let us know and we'll fill them in as we go.
Send your answer here »
Question 7:
Why did they start/stop growing tobacco in Motueka? What types of tobacco were grown in Motueka?
[Answers so far here] Send your answer here »
Question 6:
From the Motueka River, there is a ditch or channel which one crosses toward the river end of Whakarewa St. It traverses N.E. through Northwood Hops' property and can be seen at the beginning of Queen Victoria St (North) and again at the Western end of Parker St thence heading toward the Motueka side of the bridge area.
Some 5 years ago there was a sign at the Queen Victoria St site (now removed) explaining that it was a waterway used by Maori but I have heard that it was a race to serve a timber mill at approximately what is now Birdhurst's building, and more recently, I was told it was a flood relief channel for the river. Can anyone shed any light on when and why it was constructed?
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Question 5:
I've searched the Museum for photos of the G U S store at 2 School Rd Riwaka, and there appears to be none. Does anyone have old photos of this store. It is currently used by Resurgence Coffee and was used for a few years by Kiwi Kayaks and painted red.
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Question 4:
Who carved that wonderful work at the entrance (from car park) to the Riwaka Resurgence walk? And what does the carving signify?
[Answers so far here] Send your answer here »
Question 3:
What was the original use of the big old building in Inglis Street that is now a Masonic place?
[Answers so far here] Send your answer here »
Question 2:
Regarding the big tower beside the TDC offices in Hickmott Ave, what was it put there for and what function of functions does it serve now? Are the dishes that look like microwave transmitters for cellphone area linkage or for TV broadcast links?
[Answers so far here] Send your answer here »
Question 1:
I've seen and heard so many figures quoted about the population of Motueka? Is it 7,000? Or 15,000? What is the official count?
[Answers so far here] Send your answer here »
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