Wanaka
Encyclopedia
Wanaka is a town in the Otago
region of the South Island
of New Zealand
. It is situated at the southern end of Lake Wanaka
, adjacent to the outflow of the lake to the Clutha River
. It is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park
. Wanaka is primarily a resort town
but has both summer and winter seasons and is based around the many outdoor opportunities. Due to the growing tourism business and the increasing number of retirees in Wanaka, large growth is occurring, with a population increase of up to 50% in the past 10 years.
The town is part of the Queenstown-Lakes District and was originally settled during the gold rush
of the 19th century.
European settlement began in the Upper Clutha River Valley in the 1850s, with the establishment of sheep stations by 'runholders'. The first station was at Albert Town
, the only place where settlers could ford the Clutha River
. The present site of Wanaka was first surveyed in 1863, and settlement increased in Pembroke (the old name for Wanaka) during the 1870s because of timber milling in the Matukituki Valley and the use of Lake Wanaka for transport. Tourism in the town began in 1867 with the opening of the first hotel, by Theodore Russell. Wanaka proved a very popular tourist destination because of its temperate climate
and easy access to snow and water.
Pembroke was renamed Wanaka in 1940.
. It is surrounded by mountains. To the southwest is the Crown Range
and township of Queenstown
(120 kilometres (74.6 mi)); to the north the Haast Pass
cuts through the Southern Alps
near Makarora
. To the northeast are the towns of Omarama
and Twizel
. Very close to Lake Wanaka is Lake Hawea
, in a parallel glacial valley
, which has a recently developed settlement of about 1,500 people. To the south of the town lies more of the Southern Alps. The Glendhu Bay
motorpark is close to the town, leading into the Matukituki River
valley. This gives access to the Mount Aspiring National Park
.
The centre of the town lies on flat land beside Roy's Bay. Parts of the town have expanded into the hills surrounding the centre and around Roy's Bay in both directions. The lakeside area of the town is prone to occasional flooding in spring, when heavy rain and snowmelt can cause the lake to rise quickly. Such a flood occurred in November 1999.
, with four distinct seasons. The weather is fairly dry with spring (September–December) being the wettest season. Annual rainfall is 682 mm which is half the national average. Wanaka experiences hot dry summers with temperatures reaching the high 30s, but with an all-round average of 24°C . Winter tends to produce clear calm days with average highs around 10°C.
.
Wanaka boasts a growing number of excellent restaurants, cafes and a diverse nightlife. Other attractions in the town include Puzzling World
and the Paradiso Cinema. Puzzling World contains a maze, optical illusion
s and a leaning clocktower. The Paradiso is a classic old cinema, with seating consisting of old couches and an in-theatre Volkswagen
.
There are a number of wineries in the area.
A number of mountains surrounding Wanaka can be climbed, including Roys Peak, Mount Iron, Mount Grand and the Pisa Range, all of which provide stunning views of the surrounding area.
, mountain biking
, mountaineering
, fishing
, paragliding
, kayaking
, rafting
, jetboat
ing, and environmental activities of all kinds suitable for adventure seeking people and families. With one of New Zealand's sunniest climates, Wanaka is truly an adventure paradise. It is the access point to the highest mountain outside of the Mount Cook region, Mount Aspiring/Tititea.
Mount Aspiring National Park
is very popular for mountaineering and hiking. Tourists enjoy day trips into the park and many tourists go hiking in the park for up to a week at a time. Parts of the Matukituki Valley on the road to the park are also very popular for rock climbing, and for day walks.
Lake Wanaka itself is popular for waterskiing, wakeboarding
and sailing
. This along with the local rivers provide many opportunities for fishing. There is a dedicated mountain biking area made by volunteers in a local pine forest. All the local ski resorts open for mountain biking and hiking in the summer.
Wanaka has the broadest range of snow activity choices of any town in NZ. These include Treble Cone
, Cardrona Alpine Resort
, Snow Park
and Snow Farm, some of New Zealand's premier commercial ski fields
. Wanaka is the main accommodation provider for these resorts and so is very busy in high season (July–September).
Treble Cone has a reputation among New Zealanders as having the best lift accessed terrain in the country and for this reason has developed a cult following, 'ConeHeads'. It also catches some of the better snow in the area, with its location and orientation getting more snow from NW storms. Cardrona is more attractive to families and beginners, though an attempt has been made at the park
riding population in competition with SnowPark. Snowpark is a dedicated 100% artificial terrain park for advanced riders. Snow Farm is New Zealand's only commercial cross-country ski field.
the permanent resident
population of the area is 7,008, an increase of approximately 33% in five years. This is helped in part by the nearby towns of Hawea
, Albert Town
and Luggate
, all within 10 minutes drive of Wanaka. The number of retirees in the town is above average for New Zealand, with 13.2% of the towns population aged over 65. New Zealand's normal rate is 12.3%. 52.4% of the town's population had some form of post school qualification, 12.5% above the national average.
82.2% of people from Wanaka claimed to be of European heritage, about 15% above the national average. The unemployment rate
was exceptionally low in Wanaka, at 1.9%, compared to 5.1% for New Zealand. The number of couples without children was 17.4% above the national average, while the number with children almost 7% lower.
electorate. This electorate is currently represented by the New Zealand National Party
's Jacqui Dean
.
as well as by roads over the Crown Range, from the West Coast
and to the north via State Highways 6
and 84
. There is at least one flight daily to Christchurch
by Air New Zealand
.
During the 20th century an unsuccessful proposal was made for the Otago Central Railway to be extended to Wanaka.
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
region of the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is situated at the southern end of Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka is located in the Otago region of New Zealand, at an altitude of 300 metres. Covering an area of , it is New Zealand's fourth largest lake, and estimated to be more than deep...
, adjacent to the outflow of the lake to the Clutha River
Clutha River
The Clutha River / Mata-Au is the second longest river in New Zealand flowing south-southeast through Central and South Otago from Lake Wanaka in the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, south west of Dunedin. It is the highest volume river in New Zealand, and the swiftest, with a catchment of ,...
. It is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park is located in the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand, north of Fiordland National Park, and between Otago and south Westland. The park forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site.-Geography:...
. Wanaka is primarily a resort town
Resort town
A resort town, sometimes called a resort city or resort destination, is a town or area where tourism or vacationing is a primary component of the local culture and economy...
but has both summer and winter seasons and is based around the many outdoor opportunities. Due to the growing tourism business and the increasing number of retirees in Wanaka, large growth is occurring, with a population increase of up to 50% in the past 10 years.
The town is part of the Queenstown-Lakes District and was originally settled during the gold rush
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
of the 19th century.
History
The first European in the area was Nathaniel Chalmers, who was guided inland by Chief Reko in 1853. Maori knowledge of the region is evidenced by an earlier sketch map from Chief Te Huruhuru at Waimate.European settlement began in the Upper Clutha River Valley in the 1850s, with the establishment of sheep stations by 'runholders'. The first station was at Albert Town
Albert Town, New Zealand
Albert Town is located to the east of Wanaka in Otago, New Zealand. Until recently only a farming settlement, the population boom in this area has led to much new development. The confluence of the Clutha and Cardrona Rivers is located here. The town was named after Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and...
, the only place where settlers could ford the Clutha River
Clutha River
The Clutha River / Mata-Au is the second longest river in New Zealand flowing south-southeast through Central and South Otago from Lake Wanaka in the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, south west of Dunedin. It is the highest volume river in New Zealand, and the swiftest, with a catchment of ,...
. The present site of Wanaka was first surveyed in 1863, and settlement increased in Pembroke (the old name for Wanaka) during the 1870s because of timber milling in the Matukituki Valley and the use of Lake Wanaka for transport. Tourism in the town began in 1867 with the opening of the first hotel, by Theodore Russell. Wanaka proved a very popular tourist destination because of its temperate climate
Temperate
In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...
and easy access to snow and water.
Pembroke was renamed Wanaka in 1940.
Geography
The town of Wanaka is situated at the southern end of Lake WanakaLake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka is located in the Otago region of New Zealand, at an altitude of 300 metres. Covering an area of , it is New Zealand's fourth largest lake, and estimated to be more than deep...
. It is surrounded by mountains. To the southwest is the Crown Range
Crown Range
The Crown Range mountains lies to the east of the Wakatipu Basin in Otago, New Zealand. It is noted for two features, the Cardrona Alpine Resort, on the slopes of the 1900 metre Mt. Cardrona, and a highway, known as the Crown Range Road, which winds steeply between Arrow Junction, south of...
and township of Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains....
(120 kilometres (74.6 mi)); to the north the Haast Pass
Haast Pass
Haast Pass is a mountain pass in the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand. It is named for Julius von Haast, a 19th century explorer who was also geologist for the Provincial government of Canterbury...
cuts through the Southern Alps
Southern Alps
The Southern Alps is a mountain range extending along much of the length of New Zealand's South Island, reaching its greatest elevations near the island's western side...
near Makarora
Makarora
Makarora is a small community within the Queenstown-Lakes District of the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand.It is situated on State Highway 6 on the eastern side of the Haast Pass and adjacent to the Makarora River....
. To the northeast are the towns of Omarama
Omarama
Omarama is a small township at the junction of State Highways 8 and 83, near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin, in the South Island of New Zealand. Omarama is in the Waitaki District, in the historic Province of Otago...
and Twizel
Twizel
TwizelUrban AreaPopulation:1,000Extent:Territorial AuthorityName:Mackenzie District CouncilPopulation:Mayor:Website:Extent:Regional councilName:Environment Canterbury...
. Very close to Lake Wanaka is Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea is located in the Otago Region of New Zealand, at an altitude of 348 metres. It covers an area of some 141 km² and is, at its deepest, 392 metres deep...
, in a parallel glacial valley
U-shaped valley
A U-shaped valley also known as a glacial trough is one formed by the process of glaciation. It has a characteristic U-shape, with steep, straight sides, and a flat bottom. Glaciated valleys are formed when a glacier travels across and down a slope, carving the valley by the action of scouring...
, which has a recently developed settlement of about 1,500 people. To the south of the town lies more of the Southern Alps. The Glendhu Bay
Glendhu Bay
Glendhu Bay is a small settlement on Lake Wanaka in Otago, New Zealand. The bay has a motor camp, and is a short drive west from Wanaka, on the road to Treble Cone skifield and Mount Aspiring National Park....
motorpark is close to the town, leading into the Matukituki River
Matukituki River
The Matukituki River is found in the Southern Alps of New Zealand's South Island. It flows for 30 kilometres from Mount Aspiring National Park into the southwestern edge of Lake Wanaka just after passing under the West Wanaka bridge....
valley. This gives access to the Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park is located in the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand, north of Fiordland National Park, and between Otago and south Westland. The park forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site.-Geography:...
.
The centre of the town lies on flat land beside Roy's Bay. Parts of the town have expanded into the hills surrounding the centre and around Roy's Bay in both directions. The lakeside area of the town is prone to occasional flooding in spring, when heavy rain and snowmelt can cause the lake to rise quickly. Such a flood occurred in November 1999.
Climate
Wanaka is one of the few areas in New Zealand to enjoy a continental climateContinental climate
Continental climate is a climate characterized by important annual variation in temperature due to the lack of significant bodies of water nearby...
, with four distinct seasons. The weather is fairly dry with spring (September–December) being the wettest season. Annual rainfall is 682 mm which is half the national average. Wanaka experiences hot dry summers with temperatures reaching the high 30s, but with an all-round average of 24°C . Winter tends to produce clear calm days with average highs around 10°C.
Attractions
These days, with its beautiful lake and mountain views, Wanaka has become a popular tourist resort, loved by many for being less commercialised than QueenstownQueenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains....
.
Wanaka boasts a growing number of excellent restaurants, cafes and a diverse nightlife. Other attractions in the town include Puzzling World
Puzzling World, New Zealand
Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World is a tourist attraction near Wanaka, New Zealand. It started out as just a maze in 1973, but over the years expanded to accommodate a "puzzling café" where guests could try out several puzzles, rooms with optical illusions, the Leaning Tower of Wanaka and other...
and the Paradiso Cinema. Puzzling World contains a maze, optical illusion
Optical illusion
An optical illusion is characterized by visually perceived images that differ from objective reality. The information gathered by the eye is processed in the brain to give a perception that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source...
s and a leaning clocktower. The Paradiso is a classic old cinema, with seating consisting of old couches and an in-theatre Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
.
There are a number of wineries in the area.
A number of mountains surrounding Wanaka can be climbed, including Roys Peak, Mount Iron, Mount Grand and the Pisa Range, all of which provide stunning views of the surrounding area.
Festivals
- The biennial Warbirds over WanakaWarbirds over WanakaWarbirds over Wanaka is a biennial air show in Wanaka, held on the Easter weekend of even-numbered years. It is held at Wanaka Airport, 10 km outside Wanaka village. Initially conceived by New Zealand live deer recovery pioneer, Sir Tim Wallis, as a display day for him to play with his collection...
airshowAirshowAn air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
, has become a major attraction for national and international guests. - Wanakafest http://www.wanakafest.co.nz/
- NZ Freeski open
- The biennial New Zealand music Rippon Festival http://www.ripponfestival.co.nz/
- Challenge Wanaka Triathlon Festival
Summer
Wanaka is host to some of New Zealand's best outdoor recreation and tourism activities with world-class hikingHiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, paragliding
Paragliding
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure...
, kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
, rafting
Rafting
Rafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this...
, jetboat
Jetboat
A jetboat is a boat propelled by a jet of water ejected from the back of the craft. Unlike a powerboat or motorboat that uses a propeller in the water below or behind the boat, a jetboat draws the water from under the boat into a pump inside the boat, then expels it through a nozzle at the...
ing, and environmental activities of all kinds suitable for adventure seeking people and families. With one of New Zealand's sunniest climates, Wanaka is truly an adventure paradise. It is the access point to the highest mountain outside of the Mount Cook region, Mount Aspiring/Tititea.
Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park is located in the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand, north of Fiordland National Park, and between Otago and south Westland. The park forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site.-Geography:...
is very popular for mountaineering and hiking. Tourists enjoy day trips into the park and many tourists go hiking in the park for up to a week at a time. Parts of the Matukituki Valley on the road to the park are also very popular for rock climbing, and for day walks.
Lake Wanaka itself is popular for waterskiing, wakeboarding
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snow boarding and surfing techniques....
and sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
. This along with the local rivers provide many opportunities for fishing. There is a dedicated mountain biking area made by volunteers in a local pine forest. All the local ski resorts open for mountain biking and hiking in the summer.
Winter
Treble Cone
Treble Cone is a commercial skifield near Wanaka, New Zealand.Treble Cone boasts the longest vertical rise in the Southern Lakes and spectacular views over Lake Wanaka and Mount Aspiring/Tititea...
, Cardrona Alpine Resort
Cardrona Alpine Resort
Cardrona Alpine Resort is a ski resort in New Zealand's South Island. The skifield ranges from 1,260m to 1,894m. The distribution of slopes is 25% beginner, 50% intermediate and 25% advanced. There are 2 detachable quad chairlifts and 2 fixed-grip quad chairlift, 2 "magic carpet" learner lifts and...
, Snow Park
Snow Park, New Zealand
Snow Park is a dedicated snowsports terrain park in South Island, New Zealand. Describing itself as the "first dedicated freestyle terrain park in the world" when it opened in 2002, it features a number of half-pipes, jumps and rails, instead of traditional ski runs.On-mountain accommodation has...
and Snow Farm, some of New Zealand's premier commercial ski fields
Ski resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
. Wanaka is the main accommodation provider for these resorts and so is very busy in high season (July–September).
Treble Cone has a reputation among New Zealanders as having the best lift accessed terrain in the country and for this reason has developed a cult following, 'ConeHeads'. It also catches some of the better snow in the area, with its location and orientation getting more snow from NW storms. Cardrona is more attractive to families and beginners, though an attempt has been made at the park
Terrain park
A terrain park is an outdoor area that contains terrain that allows skiers and snowboarders to perform tricks. Terrain parks have their roots in skateparks and many of the features are common to both. One of the first in-bounds terrain parks was the "Snowboard Park" built in 1990 at the Vail...
riding population in competition with SnowPark. Snowpark is a dedicated 100% artificial terrain park for advanced riders. Snow Farm is New Zealand's only commercial cross-country ski field.
People
The town is experiencing considerable growth. According to the 2006 censusNew Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings
The New Zealand government department Statistics New Zealand conducts a census of population and dwellings every five years. The census scheduled for 2011 was cancelled due to circumstances surrounding the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, however, and legislation introduced to hold the next...
the permanent resident
Permanent residency
Permanent residency refers to a person's visa status: the person is allowed to reside indefinitely within a country of which he or she is not a citizen. A person with such status is known as a permanent resident....
population of the area is 7,008, an increase of approximately 33% in five years. This is helped in part by the nearby towns of Hawea
Hawea
Hawea is the name of a small settlement at the southern end of Lake Hawea, in New Zealand's South Island. It is located 18 kilometres to the northeast of Wanaka....
, Albert Town
Albert Town, New Zealand
Albert Town is located to the east of Wanaka in Otago, New Zealand. Until recently only a farming settlement, the population boom in this area has led to much new development. The confluence of the Clutha and Cardrona Rivers is located here. The town was named after Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and...
and Luggate
Luggate
Luggate is a small township in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 6 between Wanaka and Cromwell, near the junction with State Highway 8A, approximately 15 km from the Wanaka township, just past Wanaka Airport....
, all within 10 minutes drive of Wanaka. The number of retirees in the town is above average for New Zealand, with 13.2% of the towns population aged over 65. New Zealand's normal rate is 12.3%. 52.4% of the town's population had some form of post school qualification, 12.5% above the national average.
82.2% of people from Wanaka claimed to be of European heritage, about 15% above the national average. The unemployment rate
Unemployment
Unemployment , as defined by the International Labour Organization, occurs when people are without jobs and they have actively sought work within the past four weeks...
was exceptionally low in Wanaka, at 1.9%, compared to 5.1% for New Zealand. The number of couples without children was 17.4% above the national average, while the number with children almost 7% lower.
Politics
Wanaka is part of the WaitakiWaitaki (New Zealand electorate)
Waitaki is an electorate for the New Zealand House of Representatives that crosses the boundary of North Otago and South Canterbury towns on the East Coast of the South Island. The electorate was first established for the that determined the 5th New Zealand Parliament...
electorate. This electorate is currently represented by the New Zealand National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
's Jacqui Dean
Jacqui Dean
Jacqueline Isobel Dean is a New Zealand politician and the current Member of Parliament for the Waitaki electorate.-Early career:Dean has worked in a number of roles, including professional acting...
.
Transportation
Wanaka is serviced by the Wanaka AirportWanaka Airport
Wanaka Airport is the airport servicing the town of Wanaka, Otago, New Zealand and the surrounding ski fields. It is also the host of the biennial Warbirds over Wanaka air show and serves as a base for sightseeing flights to Milford Sound and Mount Aspiring National Park...
as well as by roads over the Crown Range, from the West Coast
West Coast, New Zealand
The West Coast is one of the administrative regions of New Zealand, located on the west coast of the South Island, and is one of the more remote and most sparsely populated areas of the country. It is made up of three districts: Buller, Grey and Westland...
and to the north via State Highways 6
New Zealand State Highway 6
State Highway 6 is a major New Zealand State Highway. It extends from the northeastern corner of the South Island across the top of the island, then down the length of the island, initially along the West Coast and then across the Southern Alps through inland Otago and finally across the Southland...
and 84
New Zealand State Highway 84
State Highway 84 is a South Island State Highway in New Zealand. It connects the popular holiday resort of Wanaka to State Highway 6, the main north-south highway servicing the western part of the South Island.-Route:...
. There is at least one flight daily to Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
by Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
.
During the 20th century an unsuccessful proposal was made for the Otago Central Railway to be extended to Wanaka.