Motueka

Motueka is a town in the South Island of New Zealand. It is the second largest in the Tasman Region, with a population of 8,320.

There are a lot of apple, pear and kiwifruit orchards, as well as specialised crops such as hops.
Nearby beaches (such as Kaiteriteri and Mārahau) are very popular with holidaymakers, and the area around Motueka has one of the country's highest annual number of sunshine-hour.
Limestone cave systems (including Harwoods Hole in the Tākaka Hill area north of Motueka) attract cavers and rock climbers. Sea kayaking, tramping and canyoning now attract many thousands of visitors each year.

Many artists live in the area around Motueka.

Our friend Sean Delany works here with the Motueka Baptist Church. The work is called Mahi-Pai meaning "good and excellent works”. Through Mahi-Pai, Sean connects with the local community:

Leading outdoor events and traditional Māori classes
Upholding kaupapa on local marae
Running open mau rākau classes in the gardens of the local Baptist church
Sports coaching
Leading kapahaka in Kura (schools)
Working with whānau (family) support
Connecting the local community with Kura (schools)

Let’s join Hannah as she describes Motueka

Map of Motueka

Memory Verse

Our Memory verse as we focus on Motueka is Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea, and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth

Finlayson Park School

Let’s join the tamariki from Finlayson Park School in Auckland as they lead us in Tōia Mai Te Waka Nei. Full lyrics in English and Te Reo Māori are on the resources page.

Drag the canoe
Heave the canoe
To its resting place
Share out the true power
The bird calls
The shining cuckoo
Quee! Quee! Quee! (bird sound)
Whitty! Whitty! Whitty! (bird sound)
Gather together as one

This waiata talks about the Pīpīwharauroa (Shining cuckoo).
This is one of our migrating birds that leaves Aotearoa New Zealand for the Winter and returns for the Spring:
Ka tangi te wharauroa, ko ngā kārere ā Mahuru.
If the shining cuckoo cries, it is the messenger of spring.

Trinity - South West Baptist kids’ band

We’d love you to also join in with another song from our filming day in Christchurch with the South West Baptist kids’ band. The lyrics and guitar tabs are on our resources page.

Māori Fried Bread

Try making some fried bread at home. The recipe is on the video and is also downloadable from our resources page.