Keeping Motueka's history alive is the providence of a core of dedicated volunteers who see the value in retaining the stories and images that help shape the present.
The Motueka Museum along High Street is the focus of this group of 35 volunteers, who take it in turns to make sure the public get to see the best of what has made Motueka.
'There's a gap in people's hearts if they don't know where they came from. Maori have a good grasp of this, and how important heritage is,' museum trust board chairman Malcolm Garrett said.
Past chairwoman and member of Motueka's historical association Eileen Stewart said it's important to nurture history, because people want to know about their backgrounds and heritage.
'We can also learn from history,' Eileen said.
Motueka Museum manager Pauline Westall said there is a resurgence in the numbers of people wanting to know about genealogy.
Pauline has the sole paid position at the museum, and works closely with the volunteers who she regards highly.
'I don't really have a background in museums – I'm more like an office manager, but I do have a love of history.'
Pauline grew up in London, and came to New Zealand in 1967. She took on the museum's management role after working there as a secretary and treasurer.
Malcolm, a retired teacher, arrived here from Southland three years ago.
'I came into the museum to start learning about the region, and got hooked into becoming a volunteer. I was amazed at how much history there is here,' he said.
Malcolm says he enjoys his role with the museum because it brings him into contact with people from an 'amazing variety of places'.
The Motueka Museum's summer exhibition, which is always a strong drawcard, has this year focused on the history of High Street. The hundreds who visited were testament to the healthy level of interest in history.
'Since I've been involved here it's been the summer exhibitions that bring people to the museum,' Pauline said.
'In summer our volunteers each work a three-hour shift during the days we're open.'
The museum regularly attracts between 100 and 200 visitors each month, with the slow times being during the winter.
Eileen, a retired teacher also, said resourcing material is a major task that works successfully through the efforts of three different organisations.
'Our resourcing is done by a trio of organisations that work together closely – the Motueka Genealogy Society, Motueka District Historical Association and the Museum.
'We can't manage without each other,' Eileen said.
Despite the high level of volunteer input at the museum, they're always looking for more helpers, Pauline said.
Qualities inherent in a good volunteer include the ability to supervise what goes on in the museum.
Right now the Motueka Museum is in the very early stages of drafting up a concept for developing permanent exhibition space.
Pauline said they need more storage space now, and there are plans to develop the museum so it can house a permanent history of Motueka.
'Now all we need is a committee of board members to get some volunteers to get the concept started,' she said.
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