Motueka's (meaning island of bush with Weka) delightful climate encouraged Maori settlement in the area. With the high sunshine hours Motueka was one of the best areas in the South Island to grow the prized Kumara, or Maori Sweet Potato. The conquest by the North Island Chief Te Rauparaha and his forces, of which today's local tribes Ngati Rarua and Te Ati Awa were a part happened just a few years before Frenchman Dumont D'Urville explored the coastline in 1827. Much of the Abel Tasman National Park coastline still bears the names that D'Urville bestowed upon it.

The history of European settlement dates from 1842 when the town was surveyed off.

The town was built on farming and two crops unique to the Motueka District were grown here, tobacco and hops. Tobacco was the mainstay of the economy until the late 1980's. Where tobacco and hops once grew now stands apple fields.

Motueka township is a vibrant, friendly and cosmopolitan town on the western side of the Tasman Bay. The long summer days and mild winters attract many people to the town and a large number then choose to call Motueka home. Motueka is the 3rd largest town in the Nelson Province with a population of 7125 (2006 Census). The surrounding district is home to a further 5397.

The climate is one of the best in New Zealand with the average summer temperature at 21.5 degrees centigrade and winter at 12.8. The area has on average 2400 hours of sunshine with 970mm of rainfall. February is the warmest month and July the coldest.

Motueka is the Town of the Abel Tasman National Park and you'll find all the ammenities you would expect in a larger town with supermarkets, an extensive array of shops, artizans, amazing cafes and the Motueka i-SITE Visitor Centre that offers knowledge and advice on the local area and attractions.