MATARIKI – N10

MATARIKI – N10

During the week WW was contacted Kevin Uptown regard to the Mullet Boat MATARIKI N10.Kevin’s brother John had discovered reference to the boat in a Oct 2020 WW story (linked here) https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/02/classic-wooden-boats-bin-diving/ The yacht featured in a NZ Herald photo from Dec 1931, the photo is below.

I’ll let Kevin tell the story:
“My brother John Upton recently sent me a link to this web site  and I noticed the Mullet Boat Matariki. (NZ Herald 1931)
Our Dad Murray Upton bought Matariki in Tauranga in the early 60’s and sailed her to Gisborne I think in about 1963/64.
At that time the Harbour basin was being dredged so Dad had no mooring. Being the type of boat she was, it had to stay in the water.
Anyway long story, short we striped her down an took her Lake Waikaremoana and used her as a house boat for many years.
Matariki is still on the lake at Waikaremoana I must say she is looking a bit tired.
I have attached some photos which may be of interest to you.”

Classic Wooden Boats – Bin Diving

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS – BIN DIVING

Yesterday I meet briefly with David Campbell-Morrison to receive a collection of boating books and magazines that David saved for the rubbish bin. The original owner of the collection was a Mr Thompson and most date from the early 1930’s to the mid 1940’s.
Some of the USA MotorBoating magazines are in very good condition and the covers are almost collectable art. Today cover is from the March 1935 issue.


Amongst the many items was a ‘photo’ (press clipping) album – the photo below is dated Dec 1931 and appeared in the NZ Herald. Can we ID the launch on the left of the photo?The caption reads “Stretching their sails in preparation for the official opening of the Yachting season today. Pleasure craft which made a pretty picture on the Auckland Harbour last week-end. The yachts are Matariki (N10) and Leveret (V5)