MCA History

• The Moutapu Community Association initially began as a group of local residents whose first meeting was in 1975

• In 1977/78 several residents attended hearings in Blenheim regarding the planting of pines above Moutapu Bay

• The first formal meeting of the Moutapu Bay Road Residents Association Incorporated was on 29th May 1993 and was held at the Linkwater Hall

• 15th November 1994 the NZ Geographic Board approved the change of spelling from Moutapu Bay to Moetapu Bay.

• In 1995/6  the first committee was formed

• 1998 the H.O.T (Hiking on Tuesdays) women's hiking group started with regular Tuesday walks

• 6th December 2001 the Moetapu Bay Roads Residents Association Inc was incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.

• 11th April 2006 the association changed it's name to Moetapu Community Association to reflect inclusion of everyone in the local community

• The Boatshed Library was set up by Pauline and Gary Graham in the boatshed at their home as an MCA facility in May 2006. Membership was the donation of a book. The library was open on Saturday mornings by volunteer librarians. Bruce and Diane Clark now continue the tradition of the Boatshed Library, which is located on the property they purchased from the Grahams

• The Moetapu Community Association Inc became reregistered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 on 24th February 2025

How the MCA operates

Officers of MCA are elected by members at the AGM held at the beginning of January each year. 

Each of the Officers have portfolios dealing with issues relevant to our community. Committee meetings are held at regular intervals throughout the year.

Our community has a strong base of volunteers and supporters, each with their own areas of interest, knowledge, experience and skills.  These include members who commit many hours of service trapping, eradicating wilding pines and destroying other pest and weed species.

Our committee is formed of dedicated Officers whose focus over the recent few years have been focused on improving our roading system due to the two large weather events that occurred in 2021 and 2022, and reducing the deer population with two deer culls. We have developed a Pest Control Strategy and that is a focus moving forward into 2025 and beyond.

Pest Control

We coordinate funding for pest control projects and are  currently providing a subsidy to residents who want to establish their own traps on their respective properties and are also working on a pest control strategy to improve the ecology of the Mt Cawte reserve. In the past we have also coordinated funding for deer culling programmes on Mt Cawte.

Pest and weed volunteers undertake regular trapping of stoats and rats in order to preserve the native birdlife. Evidence of their good work is noticed by increased bird life in and around properties . Regular working bees are held by the MCA to eradicate pest plants such as banana passionfruit and old man’s beard, along with targeting wilding pine and wasps.

MCA Officers with responsibility of pests: 

• Mustelid, rodent and possum: Mike McKessar and Vic Koller

• Wasps: Vic Koller

Community volunteer:

• Stand of Pines: Ian Bougen

Welcome Booklet & Emergency Card

The MCA provides each residence a Welcome Booklet and an Emergency Card, both containing essential information. 

MCA Officers with responsibility of collating the 2024 versions of the Welcome Booklet and Emergency Card: 

• Mike Maley

• Jenny Standish

• Ian Bougen (now resigned)

PDF versions of the Welcome Booklet and Emergency Card can be located here:

• Welcome Booklet

• Emergency Card

Newsletter

We provide regular communications to members via quarterly newsletters which include updates on current issues affecting our community. You will find a link to our latest newsletter in the Newsletter & Notices page. 

MCA Newsletter Editor: Tracey Currie

Social Events

We run regular social events for members including regular Friday night gatherings at the Library for the men, Social Saturday events and annual events including the Fun Day, Petanque, Mt Cawte ascent, Midwinter Gathering, Quiz Night, and now the Kids Fishing Competition.

MCA Social Secretary:  Kerry Burfoot

Website

This website has been set up by Tracey for use as a resource for our members, our community, and those who visit.  If you have any suggestions for improvement or corrections to be made then please contact moetapu.mca@gmail.com .

Community Volunteer Web Administrator: Miri Tolmie

Support

If you would like to financially contribute to the work that we do in our community please contact moetapu.mca@gmail.com 

Contact Us