Motumaoho#Railway

The area was sparsely occupied by Ngāti Werewere of Ngāti Hauā.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mpdc.govt.nz/history/morrinsville-history|title=Morrinsville History|website=www.mpdc.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-12}} The nearest known archaeological site{{Cite web|url=https://archsite.eaglegis.co.nz/NZAAPublic|title=NZAA Site Viewer|website=archsite.eaglegis.co.nz|access-date=2020-04-13}} is just over the confiscation line and county boundary, about 5km towards Eureka, where a ringditch pā, Mangao Tupua, is on a small knoll at the foot of the Pakaroa Range.{{Cite web|url=https://wdcsitefinity.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity-storage/docs/default-source/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/plans/district-plan-review/apps-and-schedules/schedule-30-3-maaori-sites-of-significance-notified-18072018.pdf?sfvrsn=148a80c9_2|title=Proposed District Plan (Stage 1) Schedule 30.3 Maaori Sites of Significance|date=18 July 2018|website=Waikato District Council}}

Some early European traders are believed to have traversed the district prior to 1834, when the missionary, John Morgan, travelled up the Piako River and crossed to Horotiu. The 1860s saw an influx of European settlers to the area and, on 13 December 1873, a settler from Auckland, Thomas Morrin, purchased Kuranui No.1 Block.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nzmuseums.co.nz/account/3016/object/520|title=Land Title; 1876; 7042 - Morrinsville Museum on NZMuseums|website=www.nzmuseums.co.nz|access-date=2016-03-02}} In May 1874, he bought two further blocks, Motumaoho No.1 and No.2, and hired Irish navvies from the gold fields to dig a network of ditches to drain the land, enabling it to be used for agriculture.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mpdc.govt.nz/history/morrinsville-history|title=Morrinsville History|website=www.mpdc.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}} In 1873 Motumaoho was described as being near Hangawera, a hill over 10km to the north, there being no other settlements in the area.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DSC18731030.2.12|title=The Daily Southern Cross.|date=30 Oct 1873|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-12}}

The other large holding in the area was Norfolk Downs. That estate was divided into smaller farms about 1911, after which there was some growth in the population.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19231124.2.61|title=PROGRESSIVE WAIKATO - WAIKATO TIMES|date=24 Nov 1923|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-12}}

A 1963 study found much of the vegetation on Motumaoho swamp, to the north of the railway, remained as it had when it built up the peat bogs over about 13,000 years, the two dominant species being giant wire rush and wire rush.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TRSBOT19640214.2.2|title=The Restiad Peat Bogs at Motumaoho and Moanatuatua TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND : BOTANY|date=14 Feb 1964|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}} However, since then, additional drains have been put in and, by 1998, Valentine Rd had been extended across the area.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mapspast.org.nz/?zoom=13&x=1817651&y=5827021&layerid=NZMS260%201999|title=Sheet: S14|date=1998|website=www.mapspast.org.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}} The study also looked at Moanatuatua swamp, which became a scientific reserve in 1980.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1980/94/14.pdf|title=THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE}} Floods still occur.{{Citation|author=D70|title=Floods from summer rains|date=2010-02-01|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/46454468245/|access-date=2020-04-11}}

The centre of the village is dominated by the former cheese factory. A New Zealand Dairy Association dairy was built in 1910.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIKIN19100531.2.9|title=LOCAL AND GENERAL. WAIKATO INDEPENDENT|date=31 May 1910|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}} The cheese factory was described as new in 1912, saying the Waikato Dairy Association's offer to build and run it was accepted.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19121218.2.13|title=NEW CHEESE FACTORY WAIKATO ARGUS|date=18 Dec 1912|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-13}} However, in 1929 the cheese factory had on its wall - Norfolk Coop Dairy Co estd. 1916.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19291207.2.102|title=DISTRICT NEWS WAIKATO TIMES|date=7 Dec 1929|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-13}} The Norfolk Co-operative Dairy Company was formed in 1915,{{Cite web|url=https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10289/10434/No.%20102%20Manuel.pdf?sequence=5|title=Te Aroha Mining District Working Papers No. 102|last=Hart|first=Philip|date=2016|website=University of Waikato}} with 22 suppliers.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19150527.2.117|title=COUNTRY NEWS. NEW ZEALAND HERALD|date=27 May 1915|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-13}} Electric power was connected in 1923, when a new factory was approved. It was working by 1924.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19240909.2.63|title=NORFOLK DAIRY COMPANY. WAIKATO TIMES|date=9 Sep 1924|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-12}} Norfolk Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited merged into Morrinsville Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited in 1946.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1947/37/33.pdf|title=New Zealand Gazette 1947}} The factory closed in 1983. The derelict building remains and, between 2010{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-37.6913094,175.4714753,3a,75y,216.4h,95.96t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sG0JbrS4rBGDJZPowGBOfog!2e0!7i13312!8i6656|title=15 Norfolk Rd|website=Google Maps|language=en|access-date=2020-04-11}} and 2014, a rusting Bedford OB bus was parked beside it.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-37.6912976,175.4714816,3a,75y,216.4h,95.96t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sEUTYnY4_mRMkVvR7bE4WSw!2e0!6s//geo1.ggpht.com/cbk?panoid=EUTYnY4_mRMkVvR7bE4WSw&output=thumbnail&cb_client=maps_sv.tactile.gps&thumb=2&w=203&h=100&yaw=128.93346&pitch=0&thumbfov=100!7i13312!8i6656|title=15 Norfolk Rd|website=Google Maps|language=en|access-date=2020-04-11}}

In 1926 Palmerston North-based flax miller, Fred Seifert,{{Cite web|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3s10/seifert-alfred|title=Seifert, Alfred|last=Taonga|first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu|website=teara.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=2020-04-11}} formed a company to develop{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS19260618.2.3.3|title=Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 THAMES STAR|date=18 June 1926|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}} {{convert|4000|acre||abbr=on}} of former dairy and scrubland north of Motumaoho. He hoped to build a mill in 1929,{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19270607.2.144|title=NEW ZEALAND FLAX. NEW ZEALAND HERALD|date=7 June 1927|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}} but an old flax mill was demolished in 1928 and a shareholders tour in 1929{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19290422.2.39|title=FLAX GROWING. WAIKATO TIMES|date=22 April 1929|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}} failed to raise capital, so no more was heard of the prothe eastect.{{Cite web|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/morrinsville|title=MORRINSVILLE|last1=McLintock|first1=Alexander Hare|last2=Brian Newton Davis|first2=M. A.|website=An encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, 1966.|language=en|access-date=2020-04-12|last3=Taonga|first3=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu}}

In 1921 soap was being made from tallow.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19211221.2.12|title=J. B. Chapman Soap Manufacturer (Motumaoho)|date=21 Dec 1921|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-12}}

By 1891 41 people were living in Motumaoho{{Cite web|url=https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html|title=1891 census}} and, though the 1896 census recorded only 7,{{Cite web|url=https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1896-census/1896-results-census/1896-results-census.html|title=Results Of A Census Of The Colony Of New Zealand taken for the night of 12th April 1896|website=StatsNZ}} 215 were in the 1916 census.{{Cite web|url=https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1916-census/Report%20on%20Results%20of%20Census%201916/1916-report-results-census%20.html|title=REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF A CENSUS OF THE POPULATION OF THE DOMINION OF NEW ZEALAND TAKEN FOR THE NIGHT OF THE 15th OCTOBER, 1916.|website=www3.stats.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}}

Motumaoho and its surrounds cover {{Convert|27.95|km2||abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised)|access-date=31 March 2025}} Motumaoho is part of the larger Tahuroa statistical area.{{cite web|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=3a406ce8fbb14367ab5caae21c07ab8b|title=Geographic Boundary Viewer|publisher=Stats NZ|at=Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023}}

{{Historical populations|2006|330|2013|336|2018|345|2023|366|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Motumaoho and surrounds|source={{NZ census 2018|7011449 and 7011450}}}}

Motumaoho had a population of 366 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 21 people (6.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 30 people (8.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 186 males and 177 females in 126 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_009&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7011449%2B7011450.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 78 people (21.3%) aged under 15 years, 69 (18.9%) aged 15 to 29, 168 (45.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 51 (13.9%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.4% European (Pākehā), 12.3% Māori, 4.9% Pasifika, 4.1% Asian, and 0.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.7%, Māori language by 1.6%, Samoan by 0.8%, and other languages by 5.7%. No language could be spoken by 3.3% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 12.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 32.8% Christian, 1.6% Buddhist, 0.8% New Age, and 1.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.4%, and 7.4% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 57 (19.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 156 (54.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 75 (26.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 45 people (15.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 171 (59.4%) people were employed full-time, 51 (17.7%) were part-time, and 3 (1.0%) were unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_012&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.7011449%2B7011450.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=7011449 and 7011450}}

Tahuroa statistical area, which surrounds Morrinsville on the north, west and south and also includes Kiwitahi, covers {{Convert|179.33|km2||abbr=on}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Tahuroa|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Tahuroa|y}}|R}}/179.33|1}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|1,581|2013|1,644|2018|1,659|2023|1,674|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Tahuroa statistical area|source={{NZ census 2018|Tahuroa (173800)|tahuroa|Tahuroa}}|footnote=The 2006 population is for a larger area of 181.87 km².}}

Tahuroa statistical area had a population of 1,674 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (0.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 30 people (1.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 852 males, 816 females and 6 people of other genders in 597 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.173801.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 1.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 38.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 342 people (20.4%) aged under 15 years, 291 (17.4%) aged 15 to 29, 813 (48.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 234 (14.0%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 85.5% European (Pākehā); 15.9% Māori; 2.0% Pasifika; 4.8% Asian; 1.3% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.5%, Māori language by 4.5%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 6.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 33.7% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 0.4% Māori religious beliefs, 0.9% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, and 1.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 55.4%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 228 (17.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 783 (58.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 321 (24.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $51,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 168 people (12.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 807 (60.6%) people were employed full-time, 207 (15.5%) were part-time, and 24 (1.8%) were unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.173801.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Tahuroa (173801)}}

Motumaoho School is on SH26.{{TKI|1835|Motumaoho School}} It had a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1835|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||,}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ero.govt.nz/review-reports/motumaoho-school-15-06-2017/|title=Motumaoho School - 15/06/2017|website=Education Review Office|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-04-11}} and has 3 teachers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motumaoho.school.nz/our-staff/|title=Our Staff|website=Motumaoho School|language=en-NZ|access-date=2020-04-13}} In 1923 it had 70 children.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19231128.2.55|title=PROGRESSIVE WAIKATO - WAIKATO TIMES|date=28 Nov 1923|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-12}}

A request for a school was made in Parliament in 1910{{Cite book|last=Parliament|first=New Zealand|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mTI_AQAAMAAJ&q=Motumaoho&pg=PA472|title=Parliamentary Debates: House of Representatives|date=1910|language=en}} and a one roomed school opened in 1912. In 1969 it was replaced by a school with a small library and a staff-room transported from Ohautira. Later changes added a library, which had been the Post Office, and a front deck.{{Cite web|url=https://www.schoolandcollegelistings.com/NZ/Motumaoho/251119591591736/Motumaoho-School-and-District-Centenary|title=Motumaoho School and District Centenary|website=www.schoolandcollegelistings.com|access-date=2020-04-11}}

Agriculture, at 56.9%, was the main occupation in 2013 in Tahuroa census area (to the west of Morrinsville, including Motumaoho).{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-a-place.aspx|title=2013 Census QuickStats about a place|website=archive.stats.govt.nz|language=en-nz|access-date=2020-04-12}}

The only other significant remaining occupation is quarrying. At the end of Harbottle Road, on the slopes of the Pakaroa Range, about {{convert|4|km||abbr=on}} south of Motumaoho,{{Cite web|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz430/Motumaoho/|title=Motumaoho, Waikato|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en|access-date=2020-04-11}} Winstone Aggregates supplies road stone.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/sealing-chip/docs/suppliers-of-surfacing-aggregate-polished-stone-values.pdf|title=Suppliers of Surfacing Aggregate|date=2004|website=NZTA}} The quarry contains the index fossil, minotis, dating from the middle Jurassic, Norian age.{{Cite journal|last=Speden|first=Ian G.|date=January 1976|title=Fossil localities in Torlesse rocks of the North Island, New Zealand|url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03036758.1976.10421467|journal=Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand|language=en|volume=6|issue=1|pages=73–91|doi=10.1080/03036758.1976.10421467|issn=0303-6758}} The quarry was first developed for road stone by Piako County Council in 1924{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19240820.2.4|title=PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL - WAIKATO TIMES|date=20 Aug 1924|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-13}} on land they leased.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19290618.2.97|title=PIAKO COUNTY. WAIKATO TIMES|date=18 June 1929|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-13}}

File:1_October_1884_opening_timetable_of_Morrinsville_Railway.jpg

SH26 through the village was sealed in about 1929.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19290618.2.97|title=PIAKO COUNTY. WAIKATO TIMES|date=18 June 1929|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-13}} Traffic volumes have increased from 4,397 in 2008 to 4,812 in 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://www.trafficcounts.co.nz/|title=Traffic Counts New Zealand - Abley|website=www.trafficcounts.co.nz|access-date=2020-04-13}}

Motumaoho railway station was a flag station on the East Coast Main Trunk line, about {{Convert|3|km||abbr=on}} north of the village.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mapspast.org.nz/?zoom=13&x=1817651&y=5827021&layerid=NZMS1%201959|title=Sheet: N56|date=1944|website=www.mapspast.org.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}} It opened on 1 October 1884. By 1896 it had a shelter shed, platform and a passing loop for 27 wagons. By 1899 there was also a 4th class station building and urinals and in 1905 the loop was extended for 61 wagons. In 1912 Motumaoho became a tablet station and Railway houses were built in 1920.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Stations|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Heritage_listings.pdf|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-10|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en}} It had a goods shed and cattle yard,{{Cite web|url=http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com/stations.html|title=Stations|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en|access-date=2020-04-11}} the latter built after 1936.{{Cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19361111.2.180|title=FARMERS' UNION. AUCKLAND STAR|date=11 Nov 1936|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}} Motumaoho closed to passengers on 31 July 1967 and to goods on 27 May 1973.{{cite web|url=http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf|title=Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations|last=Scoble|first=Juliet|date=2010|website=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124135845/http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Dates_and_names.pdf|archive-date=2018-01-24}} The line is on a rising gradient from Morrinsville.{{Citation|title=Headed into the late afternoon sun at Motumaoho|date=16 Aug 2016|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/semmytrailer/31331953515/|access-date=2020-04-11}}

{{Historical Rail Start}}

{{rail line|previous=Eureka
Line open, station closed|next=Morrinsville
Line open, station closed|route=East Coast Main Trunk
New Zealand Railways Department|col=}}

{{end box}}

On 6 August 1959 Leslie George Kelly,{{Cite web|url=http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document//Volume_68_1959/Volume_68,_No._2/Leslie_G._Kelly_-_Te_Putu,_p_57-60/p1|title=Journal of the Polynesian Society: Leslie G. Kelly - Te Putu, P 57-60|website=www.jps.auckland.ac.nz|access-date=2020-04-11}} an engine driver and Māori author, was killed in a head-on collision at Motumaoho.{{Cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/201730|title=LESLIE GEORGE KELLY - (Te Ao Hou - No. 29 December 1959)|last=Department|first=Maori Affairs|date=1959-12-01|website=Te Ao Hou - No. 29 (December 1959)|language=en|access-date=2020-04-11}} A wagon fell on the train crew after they'd jumped from their east-bound train.{{Cite journal|date=6 Aug 1959|title=Fatal rail smash at Motumaoho|journal=Waikato Times}}

Local buses run to Morrinsville, Hamilton and, once a day to Paeroa via Te Aroha.{{Cite web|url=https://busit.co.nz/regional-services/morrinsvillepaeroa/|title=22 Morrinsville/Paeroa|website=busit.co.nz|access-date=2020-04-12}}

A First Gas pumping station{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-37.6882098,175.4722949,3a,15y,30.43h,87.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUTR2RfC8uhjEEDnHSgIwtw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|title=Kurunui Rd|website=Google Maps|language=en|access-date=2020-04-11}} on Kurunui Rd is at the junction of pipelines{{Cite web|url=https://www.mpdc.govt.nz/pdf/CouncilDocuments/Plans/DistrictPlan/ProposedPlanChanges/PPC53/Motumaoho.pdf|title=Motumaoho District Plan map|date=11 Oct 2019|website=Matamata-Piako District Council}} linking the Māui pipeline at Te Kowhai with Cambridge and Waitoa.{{Cite web|url=https://firstgas.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/CC_Thresholds_Map.pdf|title=Thresholds map|website=First Gas}}

• Joan Hart, sprinter at the 1950 British Empire Games

{{Reflist}}

• [http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/en/waikato_hauraki_dairy_factories/images/show/20112-norfolk-co-op-motumaoho?view_size=large 2014 photo of dairy factory]

{{Geographic Location|title=Neighbouring areas|Northwest=Whitikahu|North=Mangateparu|Northeast=Morrinsville|West=Gordonton|Centre=Motumaoho|East=Rukumoana Marae|South=Tauwhare|Southeast=Kiwitahi|Southwest=Eureka}}

{{Matamata-Piako District}}

Category:Populated places in Waikato

Category:Morrinsville