Makotuku

Makotuku
Makotuku before the verandah was added in 1911
Coordinates: 40°07′15″S 176°14′00″E / 40.12083°S 176.23333°E / -40.12083; 176.23333
CountryNew Zealand
RegionManawatū-Whanganui
Territorial authorityTararua District
WardNorth Tararua Ward
Government
  Tararua MayorTracey Collis
  Wairarapa MPMike Butterick
  Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MPCushla Tangaere-Manuel
Elevation
292 m (958 ft)
Population
 (2018)
  Total
207 (area)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
  Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode
4977

Makotuku is a locality in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region of New Zealand's North Island, about 3 km2 (1.2 sq mi) west of Ormondville.

The settlement formed around the temporary railway terminus and was often called Makotoko. Makotuku probably refers to the place of the heron, or kōtuku.

Makotuku is in 1.14 km2 (0.44 sq mi) meshblock 1534900, which had a population of 54 in 2018. It is part of the wider Norsewood statistical area, which covers 397.44 km2 (153.45 sq mi).

Makotuku School opened in 1881. By 1885 it had about 100 pupils. It closed in 1977.

In 1881 the Beaconsfield Hotel was moved from Kopua to a site next to the station. In 1888 it was replaced by a new hotel and the old one replaced the village hall. The new hotel burnt down in 1912. Makotuku Hotel was built in 1887. It was burnt down in 1933 and its owner was imprisoned for insurance fraud.

In 1886 bush fires caused a relief fund to be set up for those who had lost their homes.

An Anglican Church was built in 1890 and rebuilt after an 1898 fire. St Martins was moved to Linton Camp in 1974.