Couple offer travellers relaxed surroundings

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 279, 21 March 1989, Page 13

Couple offer travellers relaxed surroundings

Several years ago the Selwoods saw the potential for tearooms and a craft outlet for passing motorists in the Waimarino.

Now they are developing that potential with the recent opening

of their Makotuku Estate, on Valley Road (State Highway 4). There they offer Devonshire teas among other refreshments in a tranquil country setting and display locally made crafts for sale and offer fresh vegetables from their barrow.

"The response since opening on Wednesday March 1 has been bet-

ter than we expected," said Jim Selwood. He said they thought custom would build up slowly but people have been calling in from the first day. He said more and more local people are making the trip to the Makotuku Estate to

sample what they have to offer. The Makotuku property was originally a school, with the Selwoods working on the old school house which

has already been converted to a residence. It closed as a school in the 1930's said Jim. The name comes from the river that runs near the property, and is the Maori name for the blue heron. The Selwoods lived in Auckland for 14

years prior to buying the property, and Jim was a builder as well as a tour guide there. It was while travelling through the Waimarino with tours

that they saw the need for the facility. Among crafts on sale at Makotuku is weaving done by Raetihi's Mona Leishman. The natural black and white wool Mona uses comes from the property. Anne Selwood creates a number of other craft

pieces on sale, such as doll's prams While the couple are skiers they say their aim is for a year-round business. "People under rate

this area in summer - everybody says it's the Mountain and as soon as the ski season finishes a lot of the businesses stop," says Jim. He feels the area can be

promoted much more as a year-round destination for tourists. Plans for the future for the Makotuku Estate include a number of ideas.