Motupipi

History

European settlement

• Peter Packer and his parents were among the original settlers. He took over 150 acres in 1872, and was clearing, sowing and farming most of it by 1905.
• Rueben Pakard, who moved to the area with his parents a few years later, also took up 150 acres, which he cleared for sheep and beef farming.
• Joseph Packard was born in Suffolk, England in 1826 and was the oldest early settler. He originally purchased a 50 acre block, before taking a 300 acre block which he used to graze a few cows and sheep and plant about 300 lemon trees.
• Thomas Harwood, who was born at sea to parents from Yeovil in Somersetshire, England, purchased 235 acres of forested limetone land in 1868, which he began clearing and farming 1876. He initially farmed cattle, but transitioned by sheep farming in the early 20th century. By 1905, he had cleared and cultivated about 130 acres of the property. Harwood was also an active local politician.

Education