Totara Street, Matai Street and Rimu Street

The first Masterton Hospital was situated on the banks of the Opaki Stream in Te Ore Ore Road, set well off the road and opposite its current position. The road to the west of the hospital was named Totara Street. The street running between Second and Third streets was named Rimu Street and the street running between Third Street and the proposed Fourth Street was called Matai Street. Totara, rimu and matai are all New Zealand native members of the podocarp group of conifers, and at one time were all important timber trees. As their availability has diminished their use as timber has been reduced.

Pic: A feature of the rural landscape, a totara tree on a ridge line.