We all came to Wanaka from somewhere. Seekers, traders, snow chasers, dreamers and doers. The light of the landscape and the magic of the mountains lured us in, but it’s the people, as well as the environment, that keep us here.

The town is founded on entrepreneurialism; this is the common thread that weaves us all together. Financial survival is our collective endeavour and fulfilment is the ultimate goal. Innovation and optimism are in our town’s DNA. We all worship at the altar of Lake Wanaka, just like those who came before us.

The names of our forefathers are in the Wanaka street signs. They celebrate our history and point to our future. The common characteristics of these people and the spirit in which they inhabited our town live on today.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane.

Russell Street

Theodore Russell could be considered Wanaka’s first entrepreneur. Originally from Tasmania, he came here in the 1860s and was involved in an early enterprise, rafting timber down the mighty Clutha to Cromwell. The goldrush kept him here and together with his business partner Charles Hedditch (Hedditch Street) they owned majority shares in the Gin and Raspberry claim in the Cardrona Valley. Russell married Hedditch’s sister, forming a 19^th century empire-building power couple.

Russell went on to build the Wanaka Hotel in 1864. The hotel continues to operate today despite being burnt down – twice. The Hotel was considered to be pretty lush at the time, “it had a billiard room that cost £2000!” and it quickly became the heart of the township. Russell also set up a store, purchased a sawmill, established shipping services, offered trips on the lake with a paddle steamer and set about attracting folks to Wanaka and kindling the flame of tourism in the town.

Like many Wanaka folks today, Russell wore many hats. Having a multitude of roles and ventures was accepted and revered. The goldrush came and went, but Russell was thinking ahead; he was innovative and brave, and he was a family man. Together with his wife Celia they raised 6 children here. Pembroke, as the town was named at the time, was their home, and like us, they wanted to share it with others.

Aspinall Street

Farmers are tough. They are unsung entrepreneurs; they are engaged in problem-solving from hour to hour, and the ‘number 8 wire’ moniker downplays the sophistication involved in the complex business of farming. Stewardship of land and animals involves fortitude, patience and mental toughness that are rarely acknowledged. Throw in remoteness and the woolly weather of the East Matukituki and consider what life must have been like on Mt Aspiring Station at the turn of the century.

Mt Aspiring Station is 50km from Wanaka, situated next to the stunning Mt Aspiring National Park. The station has been home to four generations of Aspinall’s; they have farmed this land since the 1920s. Through the years the Aspinall’s artfully balanced farming with the growing tourism, tramping and climbing in the area. They had a reputation for welcoming and sharing this phenomenal landscape with others.

The Mt Aspiring National park was created in 1964, when Jerry and Phyllis Aspinall surrendered 20,235ha to the Crown. Through the generations the family has been fundamental in pest control, search and rescue, conservation and tourism. The property is farmed today by Randall Aspinall and his wife Alison.

Bob Lee Place

As a returned serviceman, Bob Lee entered the government’s ballot system; an initiative to allocate land. He drew a 6700ha piece of the Pisa Range out of the hat. Nature provided a gold rush, a flood, coal and a place to call home. Bob Lee developed the farm by fencing, finding suitable stock, building a homestead and a having family. Some of the land continues to be farmed by the Lee family to this day.

Bob named the land ‘Waiorau’ meaning many waters in Māori. Instead of many waters the property became more famous for its many identities. The land has been the birth place of many entrepreneurial endeavours, some of which still influence the commercial shape of our local economy today.

This land is home to the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds, a unique car testing facility; Snow Farm, New Zealand’s only cross-country ski resort; and the range was once home to the legendary Snow Park, which operated for a good time, though not a long time. Cardrona Alpine Resort was also developed from this land and the resort plays a fundamental role in attracting people to our region and economy today.

Advance to Go

The pioneers of our place set the scene for our future. We are rich with resources, ideas, support, and best of all permission. Our community grants everyone permission to have a go. Here innovation begets innovation.

The word Wānaka is thought to be derived from the Maori word wānanga, meaning sacred knowledge or a place of learning. Dreaming up new ideas and crafting a way forward is our way of learning. The name Wānaka nods to our past and beckons to our future. Wānaka folk are clever, they are unique and they are good keen men and women.