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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: to read the latest news about Motueka that's been reported in NZ print media (presented via Google News).
Brent Maru to head Community Board
(October 28): Two popular Motueka community leaders, Brent Maru and Peter Canton, have been elected or appointed to key roles in local politics. Full article »
TDC finally adopts its Annual Report
(October 27): The Tasman District Council was able to adopt its Annual Report today at the first Council meeting of the new three-year term. Full article »
Community support wanted for big cycle challenge
(October 20): Organisers of the inaugural Abel Tasman Cycle Challenge event are asking Motueka people to help out as riders pass along the cycle trail around Motueka. Full article »
Review of the property sales market in the Motueka area in October
(October 18): September was a good listing month with 34 new properties listed. The median sale price dropped back a bit to just under $500,000. Full article »
Motueka recognises its outstanding volunteers
(October 17): The invaluable contribution to the Motueka community of volunteers was recognised at Memorial Hall yesterday at a social event culminating in the presentation of 10 special awards. Full article, photos »
Public meeting to focus on Riwaka issues
(October 12): Riwaka residents have an early opportunity to tell their new political leaders about issues that particularly affect them. Full article »
Our Town Motueka settles on marketing plan
(October 11): An all day workshop attended by 14 Motueka business people has settled on a focus and plan for Our Town Motueka to promote Motueka to the world. Full article »
Ogilvie, Canton and Hawkes win Council seats
(October 8): With Council election preminary results completed, the Motueka Ward will be represented for the next three years by David Ogilvie, Peter Canton and Paul Hawkes. Full article »
Oil vessel safety system wins top award for Coppins
(October 4): When an international oil company needed a safety system for a massive oil processing vessel being towed from Korea to the North Sea, they found their solution at Motueka's Coppins Sea Anchors. Full article »
Phone app helps local research on dolphins
(October 4): Local people on the waters and along the beaches in Abel Tasman and surrounds are being recruited to help fill in knowledge gaps of endangered Hector's dolphins. Full article »
Ideas sought for summer season weekend opener
(October 3): The new Our Town Motueka committee is casting around for ideas to build the first weekend in December into a big community, retail and visitor weekend. Full article »
i-Site services count 'more than ever'
(September 30): Although i-Sites are facing huge challenges in a digital world, they still have a vital role in providing the first impression of a town to many visitors, says new NRDA boss Mark Rawson. Full article »
Whanganui - Motueka freight ferry service proposed
(September 27): A bold plan to start up a ferry service between Whanganui and Motueka could make make major savings in both time and money for those needing an inter-island link. Full article »
Motueka gets better deal in TDC project timings
(September 25): Motueka is receiving a better slice of the TDC cake over the coming nine months, following Council decisions to approve or bring forward some infrastructure projects. Full article »
Sunday Market offers Kai Fest full support
(September 24): The new harvest celebration event, Motueka Kai Fest, will be even bigger thanks to the Sunday Market operators offering their full support. Full article »
Perfect weather for jumping out of a plane
(September 23): Could the organisers of the Good Vibes skydiving event have ordered better weather conditions than what they've dished up for the town and its adventurous visitors these past few days? Full article »
Motueka calendar ready for holiday season
(September 23): A 2017 calendar featuring photos of Motueka's attractions has been printed and is ready for sales leading into the Christmas and tourism retail season.
Full article »
Council ends term in strong financial position
(September 23): Tasman's annual wrap-up of its finances and achievements confirms the Council's strong financial performance continues, with net debt reduced from $141 million in 2015 to $129 million at the end of June 2016. Full article »
Fitness classes aim to 'get Motueka moving'
(September 22): A new physical activity initiative aiming to "get Motueka moving" will start next week at Decks Reserve. Full article »
Community Board meeting frequency questioned again
(September 21): The frequency and timing of meetings will be one of the earliest decisions the incoming Motueka Community Board is likely to make following the upcoming local body elections. Full article »
Review of the property sales market in the Motueka area in September
(September 20): The warmer weather delivered a surge in new listings with number up 100% on the previous month and 30% on this time last year. Full article »
Documentary highlights quality of Tasman water
(September 17): A high-quality documentary about the health of Tasman District rivers and the people caring for them is available for viewing on TDC's website and YouTube. Full article »
Golden Bay favourite stands for District Health Board
(September 16): Only one Tasman rural candidate, the popular Golden Bay retiring councillor Martine Bouillir, is standing for the election of board members for the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board. Full article »
New OTM leader aims for a thriving Motueka
(September 15): The man who created the "Love Motueka" success story wants Motueka businesses to "work together for the greater good, so we can all enjoy the benefits". Full article, photos »
Joint regional landfill a step closer
(September 15): The Tasman District Council has agreed to amend its Long Term Plan, paving the way for a regional landfill to be established. Full article »
Our Town looks to optimistic business future
(September 12): Our Town Motueka has stabilised its financial position and elected a new leadership team, aiming to take a more strategic approach to building the Motueka business community. Full article »
Help make a difference in Conservation Week
(September 9): New Zealanders can help improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing by getting out and helping to look after our natural spaces, says the Department of Conservation. Full article »
Community Board agrees on special project options
(September 9): The Community Board used the final meeting of its three-year term to agree on the list of special local projects which will be put out to the community for consultation. Full article »
Flooring Xtra donates materials, labour for pool
(September 7): Motueka's Flooring Xtra has made the first 'in-kind' donation of materials and labour for the construction of the indoor Motueka Community Swimming Pool. Full article, photo »
More unity than dissent at Council candidates meeting
(September 7): The three councillors who will be elected to represent the Motueka Ward have promised to work together to further promote and advocate for Motueka. Full article, photo »
Dawn blessing planned for arrival of godwits
(September 6): A dawn blessing is being organised by the Friends of the Motueka Estuaries group this year to mark the arrival of Motueka's iconic godwit (kuaka) birds. Full article »
Fresh FM seeks site for Mot Valley transmission
(September 5): Motueka Valley residents have seen a reduction in the quality of reception for the Fresh FM community radio station for the past year. Full article »
TDC gives $218,000 boost to community groups
(September 4): The Tasman District Council has provided a funding boost to 137 community projects and services through its 2016 Community Grants. Full article »
Crafty quilters provide warming winter treats
(August 25): Ten Motueka people have received welcome gifts of colourful, warm quilts, thanks to the work of a group of Crafty Tarts. Full article, photo »
New web-based business starting in Motueka
(August 24): A new company has been set up in Motueka offering specialised business skills and knowledge training delivered to anywhere in New Zealand using the latest webinar technology. Full article »
Tasman District CEO offered contract renewal
(August 24): The Tasman District Council has offered its Chief Executive an employment agreement for a further two years. Full article »
Coordinators appointed for big community events
(August 23): Two of Motueka's biggest community events now have contractors appointed to provide professional event planning and coordination. Full article »
Healthy result from pool fundraising festival
(August 22): Memorial Hall was picture of health yesterday with people learning about and shopping for health, fitness and beauty products and services. Full article »
Retailers challenged to step up this summer
(August 19): Motueka retailers need to look at four key areas if they are to grow their business in the modern competitive environment. Full article »
Occasional drivers wanted for mobility services
(August 19): A call is going out for drivers to offer occasional services that will at least partly compensate for the loss over the past year of a taxi service in Motueka.
Full article »
Rock Da House to play four nights
(August 18): A record number of 14 schools means that the bi-annual primary school music extravaganza Rock Da House will play an extra fourth night at Memorial Hall in two weeks. Full article »
Further developments planned by KMB committee
(August 17): Further improvements to Port Motueka and Sanctuary Garden lead the project list for Keep Motueka Beautiful for the coming year. Full article »
Review of the property sales market in the Motueka area in August
(August 16): Another month passes where more homes have been sold than have been listed, which continues to put buyers under intense pressure to move quickly and pay more than they expected. Full article »
Wellbeing festival to raise money for pool project
(August 15): Memorial Hall will be the venue for a Festival of Health, Beauty and Fitness, a large fundraising event for the Motueka Community Swimming Pool project. Full article »
Surprises in nominations for Community Board and Council
(August 12): Nominations have just closed for the local body elections, throwing up some interesting scenarios in the Motueka ward. Full article »
Business get-together to scotch winter blues
(August 12): Our Town Motueka is hosting another information and social evening to help business owners network, expand their horizons and get out of the "winter blues". Full article »
Household de-clutter day returns next month
(August 12): Sunday September 11th is your next opportunity to spring clean and declutter your home and participate in Second-Hand Sunday. Full article »
Camera reveals one of the flood culprits
(August 10): One large plastic Coke bottle compounded the misery of Wilkie Street residents this year when exceptional flooding hit their neighbourhood on several occasions. Full article »
OTM coordinator to stand for Community Board
(August 9): A call for younger people and women to stand for the Motueka Community Board has been answered by the Our Town Motueka coordinator Claire Hutt.
Full article »
Food forest team celebrates first birthday
(August 7): Sixteen hardy souls braved cold but clear weather yesterday morning to celebrate the first birthday of the Motueka food forest in Ledger Goodman park.
Full article, photos »
Colour and creativity at toy competition finale
(August 6): A vast range of creative, hand-crafted toys are on display at Memorial Hall over the weekend, the results of the Motueka Arts Council's winter "Make a Toy" competition. Full article, photos »
Motueka to stage national hot rod weekend
(August 5): The New Zealand Hot Rod Association's annual National Hot Rod Run is expected to bring 150 or more mechanical marvels to Motueka for three days in November. Full article »
Community access radio promotion for Fresh FM
(August 3): Throughout August Fresh FM is taking part in The Big Listen, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Community Access Radio services in New Zealand. Full article »
Kai Fest planners receive Rata funding boost
(August 2): Vision Motueka has received a grant of $12,000 from Rata Foundation to help administer and run the inaugural Motueka Kai Fest event next April. Full article »
New lease for Motueka Top 10 Holiday Park
(July 29): The Tasman District Council has agreed to grant a new lease for the Motueka Top 10 Holiday Park in Fearon's Bush Recreation Reserve. Full article »
Community Board settles on special project list
(July 28): The Motueka Community Board has settled on a list of local projects on which to spend its "special projects" fund from its targeted rate for the coming year. Full article »
Reverse donation a highlight of board meeting
(July 27): Yesterday's Community Board meeting had its usual assortment of complaints and criticisms. But this time a small, happy highlight was a donation back to TDC by a volunteer group. Full article »
Labour leader briefed on Motueka's social issues
(July 27): Labour leader Andrew Little met with about 15 representatives of community agencies today to hear about community social issues that are of most concern in Motueka. Full article, photos »
Council pressured to fix flooding problems earlier
(July 27): Anger about ongoing flooding events in Motueka came to a head at last night's Community Board meeting, with council engineering managers being told to get on with implementing solutions. Full article »
Remaining winter workshops still have places left
(July 26): The Motueka Arts Council's Winter Workshop series is underway, and many workshops still have a few spaces left for late enrolments. Full article, photos »
Craft group shows broader uses of libraries
(July 25): The potential for the use of libraries as community hubs was demonstrated clearly this morning when about 30 people took part in a paper flower making workshop at Motueka Library. Full article, photo »
Brent Maru to stand for Community Board
(July 22): Popular community worker and youth advocate Brent Maru has decided to stand for the Motueka Community Board at the upcoming local body elections. Full article »
Motueka to celebrate local food production
(July 20): A team of people from a range of community organisations are planning a new annual event that will celebrate the great kai produced around Motueka. Full article »
Review of the property sales market in the Motueka area in July
(July 20): The average sale price was 9% over the current capital value with the median house price at $460,000 for June. The level of inventory available for sale has risen slightly from 6 to 8 weeks. Full article »
OTM adopts sound financial strategy for 2016/17
(July 18): The business support organisation Our Town Motueka has adopted its 2016/17 budget, placing more emphasis on broad promotion of the town and a more coherent online strategy. Full article »
Another professional show for Memorial Hall
(July 17): Motueka's Memorial Hall will be the venue for another piece of professional theatre, staging the show "Wicked Women of the Stage" on Saturday, 30th July.
Full article, photo »
New kohanga reo prepares for first occupants
(July 15): It's been 12 years in the making, but the spacious and warm new early childhood Centre, Te Kohanga Reo Te Awhina, is almost ready for its young occupants. Full article »
Motueka litter cart operation gathers support
(July 15): The ability to maintain Motueka's litter cart operation has received a boost in recent weeks with some added sponsorship and fundraising. Full article, photo »
Lions back pool project with big donation
(July 13): The Motueka Lions have provided the biggest boost yet to the project to build a local covered swimming pool, with a donation this week of $15,000. Full article, photo »
Paul Hawkes to stand for Council
(July 11): Community Board chairman Paul Hawkes will stand for Motueka Ward Councillor at the local body elections in October. Full article »
Problematic pedestrian crossing moved
(July 9): The makeover of the pedestrian crossing at the western entrance to Wallace Street is now complete, apart from garden bed planting. Full article, photos »
New community policing model being trialled
(July 8): Community disquiet about policing levels in Motueka have helped prompt changes to prevention strategies in the region that should help Motueka people.
Full article »
The people's beach is just a click away
(July 8): Keeping an eye on the people's beach at Awaroa in the Abel Tasman National Park is now a whole lot easier with a new webcam capturing real-time images of the beautiful spot. Full article »
OTM ponders low uptake of free website ads
(July 5): What is it with Motueka businesses, that they ignore an offer for free advertising on one of the region's premier websites that reaches a global market?
Full article »
Mapua investment provides lessons for Council
(July 1): Tasman District Council will fund the extra costs associated with work at the Mapua Wharf precinct through income from its commercial activities and by bringing forward next year's budget for landscaping at the wharf. Full article »
Highly respected Motueka artist dies
(June 30): The Motueka Art Group is mourning the death of one of its founding members and a much-respected figure in the local art scene, Don Halls. Full article »
Review of the property sales market in the Motueka area in June
(June 30): Moving into the coolest part of the winter the local property market does not appear to be easing up and it look like we will see the current hot level of activity continue into the spring. Full article »
Another good attendance at Community Board forum
(June 29): Another good crowd turned up at the Motueka Community Board open forum last night, where once again flooding issues took centre stage. Full article »
New cheerleading team aims for national level
(June 27): A high school-based team of cheerleaders is fundraising to enable them to take part in competitions in their newly emerging sport. Full article, photo »
Driveway improvements for Memorial Hall set to begin
(June 21): Long overdue driveway improvements around Memorial Hall will mean restrictions on vehicle and pedestrian access for two weeks, starting next week.
Full article »
Swimming pool fundraising gains crucial backing
(June 18): The campaign to build an indoor community swimming pool has received a vital boost with an agreement by Lotteries to pay for an independent professional feasibility study. Full article »
Community board focuses on flooding problems
(June 15): The recent series of flood events in Motueka and Riwaka was the main item of business at yesterday's Community Board meeting. Full article »
Port parking area gets long awaited facelift
(June 15): The next stage of the project to develop Beach Reserve and the Motueka harbour entrance was begun this week with work on a new parking area. Full article »
Planning under way for saltwater baths upgrade
(June 13): Planning is under way to upgrade Motueka's saltwater baths to remove health and safety risks associated with its regular cleaning schedule. Full article »
Three extra classrooms for High School
(June 8): $1 million will be invested under Budget 2016 to expand capacity at Motueka High School, say Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye. Full article »
Calendar to promote Motueka's top spots
(June 8): A 2017 calendar featuring photos of Motueka's attractive parks and scenery is being developed in time for the Christmas and tourist retail season. Full article, photo »
Music party to shake off midwinter blues
(June 6): The midwinter blues will be off the playlist at the upcoming Matariki Party, a celebration of local musicians performing in aid of the Motueka Music Network. Full article »
Community survey indicates need for new library
(June 1): A wealth of feedback and ideas for improvement has come out of the Community Board's online survey about the future of Motueka's library. Full article, survey data »
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 »
