Kia Orana, welcome to our island. MOTU (island) is a place for relaxation and rejuvenation away from the stress of daily life, and a place of personal connection for our family.
Johns’ great great grandmother Te Paeru was one of the first Pacific Island women to migrate to New Zealand in the 1840s. Nearly 170 years later he returned to practice his profession – surgery. This has given our family the opportunity to know and love the island. So when the chance came to purchase the resort in 2017 it required little discussion.
As lovers of art and design, we are patrons of New Zealand’s Auckland Art Gallery and Rose is the leading patron of Tautai Pacific Arts Trust. We have also built award-winning homes in New Zealand. Our vision for Motu is to create the Pacific’s first “art resort”, showcasing an ever-growing collection of works from artists across the Pacific. Each villa carries its own unique collection which we hope you’ll take some time to observe and enjoy.
Unique to MOTU’s mission is to give our environment and our tangata (people) the same care as our guests. We use environmentally friendly products, state of the art wastewater management, and electric vehicles to help preserve our piece of paradise. We also gift all of our guests reusable drink bottles and shopping bags to help reduce the use of plastic on the island.
On the horizon is solar power and many more exciting ideas. The input from our wonderful family of guests, which includes many returnees, is invaluable and stimulating in this regard.
The majority of MOTU’s profits support our island community through healthcare, education and the arts, and every stay at MOTU greatly contributes to this.
We see MOTU as an ongoing chance to improve, to learn, to beautify, to invent. To be cosseted, indulged and recharged safe from the bustle of daily life. Free from the stresses that cause us all to seek our MOTU in the sun.
Kia manuia e aro’anui
John and Rose
