Did April Fools’ fool Motueka?

Motueka residents who have waited decades for their new swimming pool may have been slightly underwhelmed by Monday’s announcement that an Olympic-length (but only arms-length wide) option had opened in the algae-filled creek outside the recreation centre.

In happier news, on the same day, Hotel Motueka decided to trial a self-serve honesty system to their food and drink, with the simple request that patrons clean the grill after use.

Further down the road, the Riwaka Hotel was announced as the scene of a four-part investigative series, ‘The Shocker in Riwaka,’ by Radio Hauraki.

“What happened to those German tourists?” the radio station asks. “Were local authorities involved in a cover-up?”

No timeframes were named, but residents should not hold their breath for a release date any time before next April 1st – a day otherwise known as April Fools Day.