Makotuku

Makotuku is a locality in the Manawatu-Whanganui Region of New Zealand's North Island, about 3 km2 west of Ormondville.

The settlement formed around the temporary railway terminus and was often called Makotoko. Makotuku probably refers to the place of the heron, or kōtuku.

Makotuku is in 1.14 km2 meshblock 1534900, which had a population of 54 in 2018. It is part of the wider Norsewood statistical area, which covers 397.44 km2. Makotuku School opened in 1881. By 1885 it had about 100 pupils. It merged into Norsewood School in 2003.

In 1881 the Beaconsfield Hotel was moved from Kopua to a site next to the station. In 1888 it was replaced by a new hotel and the old one replaced the village hall. The new hotel burnt down in 1912. Makotuku Hotel was built in 1887. It was burnt down in 1933 and its owner was imprisoned for insurance fraud.

In 1886 bush fires caused a relief fund to be set up for those who had lost their homes.

An Anglican Church was built in 1890 and rebuilt after an 1898 fire. St Martins was moved to Linton Camp in 1974.

Makotuku railway station
Makotuku railway station was on the Palmerston North–Gisborne Line. Slow progress with the line from Napier and Spit was criticised, after the 5 mi extension of line opened from Kopua (the previous temporary terminus) via Ormondville on 9 August 1880. Makotuku remained the terminus until the 4 mi extension south to Matamau on 23 June 1884, which required construction of what is now the 111 m long and 30 m high Matamau Viaduct. In 1884 Makotuku had two trains a day, one of which continued south to Matamau. Various sawmillers used the railway, including Grey & Powers, Mr Gundrie, Mr Tower, Mathew & Co and F Sidney.

Initially the station would have been very spartan, as it wasn't until 25 August 1880 that authority was sought for furnishing the station and until 28 October to move Kopua goods shed to Makotuku and install a water supply. In 1881 a 5th class stationmaster's house, coal shed, and privy were added. From 1882 to 1918 there was a Post Office at the station. By 1884 there was an engine shed, but later that year there was a complaint when the goods shed was removed from Makotuku. By 1889 there was a 30 ft x 15 ft goods shed (extended to 43 ft by 1904). Stockyards were added in 1893 and by 1896 there was a 5th class station with luggage room, platform, cart approach, cattle yards, stationmaster's house, urinals, passing loop for 35 wagons, extended to 80 wagons in 1940. In 1898 sheep yards were added. In 1891 express trains started crossing at Makotuku. In 1904 the passing loop could take 34 wagons, extended in 1940 for 80 wagons. Railway housing was mentioned in reports in 1896 and 1937. A verandah was added to the station building in 1911 and the platform was asphalted.

In 1965 it was noted there was one light on the platform and one over the stockyards. In 1968 the crossing loop was lifted. Passenger services ended on 31 May 1976 and goods on Sunday, 20 July 1980. By 1988 a small station building remained, but the platform had recently been demolished. In 2015 the loading bank remained and a single track runs through the station site.

Smith's Siding
James and Henry Smith were cutting totara at Smith's Siding by 1886, 1 mi south of Makotuku. In 1888 goods for the residents were going there. A new sawmill was built in 1891. Gamman sawmills took over at Smith's Siding in 1893 and one of the family died there in 1901. A loop for 15 wagons was mentioned in 1896 and one for 20 wagons in 1898. H B Timber Co had a mill near the siding in 1896. The siding was still in use in 1906.

In the 1990s a passing loop of over a kilometre was laid on the site of the siding.

Makotuku Viaduct
Makotuku Viaduct is east of the station, between Makotuku and Ormondville. There are 6 large viaducts on the 24.57 km between Kopua and Dannevirke, including Makotuku Viaduct (bridge 155), which is 128 m long and 26 m high, over Makotuku Stream, a tributary of the Manawatū River.

The original timber (probably totara) truss viaduct was built between 1878 and 1880 by Proudfoot and M'Kay's manager, A Graham. It was 260 ft long, 92 ft above the stream and used 155600 ft of timber, and 6¼ tons of iron, in 7 x 30 ft spans, 1 x 13 ft, 2 x 11 ft, and 2 x 6 ft. The contract for this and the two bridges to the north was for £16,758, or £15,195 1s 8d.

J & A Anderson & Co of Christchurch won a tender for a wrought iron replacement. It was rebuilt in 1898, 8 ft higher than the original bridge. In the same era Andersons also rebuilt Kopua (1895), Piripiri (1899), Matamau (1899), Mangatera (1900), Ormondville (1906) and Makatote (1908) viaducts.