The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]
Motunau
Motunau is the name of a sheep-farming district lying towards the sea coast, to the eastward of the Waipara-Cheviot road and railway route. It extends several miles in a southerly direction from the banks of the Motunau river. The district is in the Waipara riding of the Ashley county, and has a scattered population, which, at the census of 1901, numbered 165. The nearest post and telegraph office, and public school are at Tipapa, the mid-day stopping place for the Cheviot-Waipara coaches.