Motueka Steiner School is situated on the north end of the South Island, the sunniest part of New Zealand. Both its weather and its close proximity to Abel Tasman National Park as well as Kahurangi National Park make the area a favorite stop for visitors to New Zealand. The kindergarten opened in 1984 and the primary school opened in 2002. About 100 children are served through their playgroups, kindergarten and grade school.
Though the current campus is located in town, the school has purchased just over 30 acres about a fifteen-minute bike ride from their current location, which, in time, will become their new home where they plan to develop a biodynamic farm. Every Friday Class 7 and 8 ride their bikes to the land with their teachers where they take part in purposeful work. I was lucky enough to join in for the morning as the children gardened, cooked on an open fire, built a gate, oiled the cabinets of the new outdoor kitchen as well as making signs for storage. Sending a big thank you to Margot, their class teacher, as well as parents Lindsey and Phil for a great day!
It was also great to meet Christine, a fellow American from the West Coast who had recently relocated her family to Motueka. Her 7th-grade daughter, Alison, spent the morning oiling the cupboards and cooking. Learn about Christine’s move from the US to NZ as well as hear about the new playgroup she is starting, which will be hosted on Motueka Steiner School’s new land.
If you’d ever like to visit the school or the surrounding area, Elinor Galbraith, a Motueka mom and curative therapist welcomes you to stay with her and her family in their Motueka (see below).
“Welcome to Motueka and our home, we are a family of five. All our children have attended or attend the local Steiner school and kindergarten. As well as our children’s education, our involvement in Waldorf over the last 20 years has also included curative therapy and care, work with biodynamics and parent education. We love meeting people and sharing their story. We hope to share this beautiful part of New Zealand with you soon.”
Elinor Galbraith, Motueka — Steiner B’n’B Host
