Lower Moutere

Lower Moutere is a settlement in the Tasman District of New Zealand's upper South Island. It is a farming community it the Lower Moutere valley, 6km from Motueka closed to the Moutere Inlet.[1]

The road up the valley from Motueka to Upper Moutere is an alternative to the main State Highway 60 route between Nelson and Motueka.[1]

The Riverside Community was established in Lower Moutere in 1941 by a small group of Methodist pacifists, and continues to operate a dairy farm and cafe. As of 2013 about 24 people were permanent members and 19 children lived there, but the community’s population sometimes doubled due to visitors, including WWOOFers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms).[1]

The Lower Moutere Memorial Hall features a plaque commemorating the three local men who died and 35 local men who served overseas during World War II.[2] A memorial gate commemorates those who died or were served during World War I.[3]

Moutere is the Māori word for 'island'.[4]

Native birds are common in the area, and a kākā was found in the area in January 2020.[5]