The History of Lower Moutere School

Lower Moutere School is a co-educational full primary school. Established in 1857, the school and community have had a rich and varied history. The school is nestled in the lower Moutere valley, just to the south of Motueka.

The school has for a long time, been the focal point of the community, with the pioneer settlers starting the school in the 1850s. These people assisted the Education Board to fund the building of the first school – originally made of mud and clay – bringing us to the fine buildings and facilities that we celebrate today.

The original school was built of mud – known as the ‘old mud school’. The school roll continued to grow and students were taught in the hall as well as the old school These primitive conditions did not prevail for very long, as the announcement that a new school building was to be built, on the same site as the ‘mud school’. The new school was opened by the then Minister of Education – Mr Black. Water for this great event was boiled in the schoolhouse copper – an event the local ladies worked hard to ensure the event was memorable – as hundreds of guests turned out for.

To add to the great facilities of the school, twenty local men brought in tractors and bulldozers, to develop court areas and playing areas on the terraced land.  The committee developed paths and gardens, lawns were laid and the school became a place of real beauty.

By 1928, the new block was built. This is no longer in use by the school. As part of a land swap arrangement, the old part of the school, which is still adjacent to the now school site, is no longer used.

Just before 1941, a new schoolhouse was built – which has since been removed from the school property. It was placed where the new entrant class is currently, and was relocated into the Lower Moutere township. This new house was welcomed by the new Principal as reticulation had just come to the area.

The most memorable event that has occurred at the school is the large fire – April 7, 1990. An electrical fault is believed to have been the cause, resulting in the school losing 4 classrooms, reading recovery room, toilets and caretakers room.  This event remains topical for many still today.

For more information about the school, please contact the school office – we have copies of the latest centenary booklet for sale!

Lower Moutere School Today