At the end of the 19th century Motu was a thriving community with a strong timber industry. An indication of the commercial activity is that at its peak the Motu Hotel could accommodate at least 100 people. The proposed rail link north to Opotiki reached Moutohora near Motu in 1917.
It was a bustling and lively township with a busy social life.
But as the timber ran out, Motu went into decline. One third of the hotel was taken in 1933 to Matawai, where it still stands, and the once well patronised rail line to Gisborne was closed in 1959.
The town’s post office closed in the 1980s and the store followed in about 1995.
Motu School was the main sign of life in what had become a ghost town — although Murphy’s Fishing Lodge attracted a stream of overseas anglers, a pointer perhaps to tourism potential.
The Wintertons say they have had a lot of support from the Motu community and The Herald received a comment with good wishes from the Smythe family, who used to operate the general store.
Kaz is a former postie and originally from Wellington, while Fred was a truck driver. They moved to Motu from Australia two-and-a-half years ago.
They deserve the goodwill and custom of the wider community in this forward-looking venture.
