page_title: Motueka
section_title: Economy
hierarchical_section_title: Motueka / Economy
caption_attribution_description: The fire station in Motueka, New Zealand. Not much of a fire danger on this rainy day.
context_page_description: The town of Motueka in the South Island of New Zealand lies close to the mouth of the Motueka River, on the western shore of Tasman Bay. It is, after Richmond, the second largest centre in the Tasman Region, with a population of 7125. The Motueka Ward had an estimated population of 10,900 at 30 June 2009.
  The surrounding district has a number of orchards, as well as growing a variety of specialised crops such as hops, and formerly serving as the main centre of tobacco growing in New Zealand. A number of small vineyards have developed in recent years, one gaining an international reputation.
  Nearby beaches are very popular with holidaymakers, and the area around Motueka has one of the country's highest annual sunshine-hour indices.
  Motueka, as one of the nearest towns to the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks, has become the base of many tourism ventures in those parks, as well as in Nelson Lakes National Park, and in other recreational areas. Extensive limestone cave systems attract cavers and rock climbers. Sea kayaking, tramping and canyoning now attract many thousands of visitors each year.
context_section_description: Horticulture is the main industry in the area surrounding Motueka, and the town benefits directly from this.
  Some of the main crops are apples, beer hops and kiwifruit.
  Due to the seasonal growth of many crops, the town's population increases greatly with seasonal workers, especially during late summer and early autumn for the apple 'pick'.
  At the height of tobacco production, Motueka was home to two tobacco factories. One owned by Australian company WD & HO Wills Holdings and the other by Rothmans International. The tobacco industry has ceased to exist in the area.
  Major employers in Motueka include:
  Motueka Lumber Company now known and recognised globally as the MLC Group. Operates a timber processing facility  that specialises in cut-to-length componentry, small end section and specialised timber mouldings.
  Nelson Aviation College trains pilots for the aviation industry.
  Prime Pine operates a sawmill in Riwaka.
  Prowood has a manufacturing facility in Lower Moutere that produces glulam beams, i beams, LVL timber, posts, wood flooring, timber retaining walls, mid floors.
  Talley's Group was established in 1936 by Ivan Peter Talijancich. One of the town's largest employers, the company's Port Motueka site incorporates the Group Head Office, the Seafood Division and the Dairy Division. The Vegetable Division began operations in 1978 at Motueka, but has since been relocated to Blenheim and Ashburton.
  New Zealand Energy Limited is a Motueka-based company that operates small hydroelectric power stations in Haast, Fox, Opunake and Raetihi.
caption: Motueka Fire Station
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