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Moutukārara
Description
NameMoutukārara
DescriptionMotukārara is a locality to the northeast of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora in the Selwyn District.
According to Ka Huru Manu, 'Motukārara, also known as Rabbit Island, is a small hill between the eastern shore of Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) and Horomaka/Te Pātaka-a-Rākaihautū (Banks Peninsula). The literal translation of Motukārara is the “island of lizards”. Motu means “island”, and kārara means “lizard”. It is thought that the kārara in this case is a now-extinct giant gecko. This traditional name refers to when Motukārara, now a grassy mound, was an island in the waters of Te Waihora which extended to the south-western flanks of Horomaka/Te Pātaka-a-Rākaihautū, prior to the extensive draining of the lake in the 19th century.'
The Little River Branch railway, which operated between 1886 and 1962 ran through Motukārara, and is now a shared walkway and cycleway. Motukārara is known for its racecourse, which has been operating since 1844: it holds races six times a year.
DescriptionMotukārara is a locality to the northeast of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora in the Selwyn District. According to Ka Huru Manu, 'Motukārara, also known as Rabbit Island, is a small hill between the eastern shore of Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) and Horomaka/Te Pātaka-a-Rākaihautū (Banks Peninsula). The literal translation of Motukārara is the “island of lizards”. Motu means “island”, and kārara means “lizard”. It is thought that the kārara in this case is a now-extinct giant gecko. This traditional name refers to when Motukārara, now a grassy mound, was an island in the waters of Te Waihora which extended to the south-western flanks of Horomaka/Te Pātaka-a-Rākaihautū, prior to the extensive draining of the lake in the 19th century.'
The Little River Branch railway, which operated between 1886 and 1962 ran through Motukārara, and is now a shared walkway and cycleway. Motukārara is known for its racecourse, which has been operating since 1844: it holds races six times a year.
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Moutukārara. Selwyn Stories, accessed 06/04/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5427
