The Motueka River is located in the north of the South Island of New Zealand and is a popular tourist destination for watersports and fishing.

[2] The Motueka River lies 60 kilometres to the south of Nelson, and flows for 120 kilometres, first through rough hill country and then the more gently undulating terrain southwest of Tasman Bay,[3] passing by many small communities such as Ngātīmoti, Woodstock, Riwaka, Brooklyn and many others as it makes its way its outflow into the bay close to the town of Motueka.

[6] Precautions have been taken to control the spread of an invasive algae Didymosphenia geminata, commonly known as 'didymo' or 'rock snot', a species of diatom, in the Motueka River and its tributaries,.

It is not considered a health risk but can affect stream habitats and sources of food for fish and make recreational activities unpleasant.

The microscopic algae can be spread in a single drop of water, so anglers must clean their waders and boots before moving to different rivers or face a fine of up to $100,000 or up to five years in prison.

[7] The Motueka River has a wide range of land uses over its catchment of over 2000 square kilometers which include agriculture, with hops, tobacco, Asian pears and kiwifruit[8] grown on the banks of the middle and the lower reaches and commercial forestry on lowland and hill areas.