Significant Events In Local History

1836
Te Puoho, a Taranaki Maori Chief - the raid

Te Puoho, a Taranaki chief, in 1836 led a war party across Haast Pass, raided the Upper Clutha area then continued on to Southland.

1844
Maps of Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea drawn

“Memory” maps of Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea drawn by Rakiraki near Kaka Point and Huruhuru at Te Puna-a-maru on the Waitaki River

1853
Nathaniel Chalmers

Nathaniel Chalmers, first documented European to visit the Upper Clutha, is guided inland and through the region by mana whenua Chief Reiko and Kaikoura.

 

1857
J.T. Thomson surveyed from Mt Grandview

J.T. Thomson surveying the Upper Clutha from Grandview Range named Mt Aspiring, Mt Pisa, Black Peak, the Cardrona River and Luggate Creek.

 

1858
Upper Clutha opened to pastoral runs

Government opened up the Upper Clutha to large pastoral run leases to be applied for – fee £20.

1858
John McLean Arrives

John McLean first runholder leased Morven Hills (Sep 1858). His brothers and sister leased adjoining runs. (Deferred Payment Licences). They had 352,000 acres.

1859
First detailed survey

First detailed survey of the Upper Clutha area by Edward Jollie and William Young, mainly to define Otago/Canterbury boundary.

1859
Morven Hills stock figures

Otago Provincial Gazette reports the McLean brothers had 12,000 sheep depasturing and a year later (1860) had 18,000

1860
Run 334 (Wanaka South) and Run 333 (Wanaka West) 

Run 334 (Wanaka South) taken up by John Roy, Run 333 (Wanaka West) taken up by J.Stuart & J.Kinross.

1860
Henry Norman & Family arrive

Henry Norman, manager of Roys Station, and his wife Mary Ann Norman were probably the first European family to settle in the Upper Clutha. Built a small dwelling on Roys Station not far from where Wanaka Station homesteads were later built.

1860
Runs sold to R. Wilkin & A.M.Thomson

Robert Wilkin buys Runs 239 (Mt Burke to Hawea River), 240 (Albert Town to Lake Wanaka) & 245 (Mt Pisa) from previous landholders, and obtains leases in his own name and a relative, Archibald Thomson.

1860
Run Management

H.S.Thomson managing Kinross & Stuart’s run. John Heuchan, from Dumfries, is the first manager for Wilkin and Thomson.

1860
George M Hassing arrives

He obtained a contract to fell timber on West Wanaka Station

1861
First early settlers' child born

Shepherd Henry Norman and his wife Mary Ann (nee Edwards) increased their family with a second son, Robert Henry, born 11 May 1861 at Roys Bay, who became the first child of the early settlers to be born in the district. Robert’s elder brother Henry Robert Norman (later known as Richard Robert Norman) was born 11 January 1859 when the Normans were living in Wellington.

1861
Upper Clutha surveyed

J. McKerrow, Bryce and Goldie began their survey of the Upper Clutha area, producing first map in 1862.

1861
Woolsheds and Gold

Wanaka Station woolshed completed at Albert Town; payable gold discovered in the Lindis River.

1861
Sawmillers at Makarora

Include Caleb Pipson, James Isbell, ‘Red Bill’,   J D Ross, A I Farquhar, Josiah A Wryatt and James Johnson

1862
George Hassing established Ferry at Albert Town

He used a whale boat to ferry travellers across the Clutha at Albert Town (on the north bank) in the early months of 1862.

1862
Jane McCallum born

Born 7 June 1862, Jane McCallum was the first daughter of early settlers born in the Upper Clutha region.

1862
James McKerrow surveyed the Upper Clutha and produced first accurate map and report
1862
Runs change hands

Roy suffers financial difficulties and his father-in-law, Richard Barton, is granted a bill of sale (security) in return for paying creditors.  In 1863, Roy sells the Station to Wilkin and Thomson.  Wilkin and Thomson also purchase Run 340 (Branch Creek Station).

1862
Logs rafted on Clutha

Logs rafted down Clutha River to Cromwell

1862
Gold Discovered in Cardrona Valley & Bendigo

Gold discovered by Fox at Cardrona and the Gold Rush started on 9 November

1862
Cardrona Valley Gold Claims to about 1870

Major Claims:

Gold Mine the ” Pirate”

Gold Mine the “Homeward Bound”

Gold Mine the “Try Again”

Gold Mine the “Georgie Gang”

Gold Mine the “Fenian”

Gold Mine the “Enterprize”

Gold Mine the “Empire”,  – flooded in 1878

Gold Mine the “Alanta”, Branch Creek

Gold Mine the “Banner of War”

Gold Mine the “Anglo Saxons”, Branch Creek

Gold Mine the “Band of Hope” – flooded in 1878

1863
First Pakeha discovers Haast Pass

Charles Cameron travels over the Haast Pass from the Makarora Valley, sighting the  Tasman Sea.  Sir Julius Haast follows shortly after.

 

 

1863
Haast Pass Crossed by Sir Julius Haast

Sir Julius Haast, a German geologist, and his party left Makarora on 22 January and found the way over the Haast Pass to the West Coast.

1863
'Old Man Flood' swept down Clutha River

It  caused much damage in the gold workings and settlements. Casualty numbers not known.

1863
Dr James Hector's Expedition

Otago Provincial Geologist, he commenced in January to try to find a way to the West Coast via the Matukituki Valley. The party crossed Hectors Col and down the Waipara Valley.  They sighted the Tasman Sea but were forced back due to their supplies situation.

1863
Cottage built on Pigeon Island

Albert Pinn built a cottage on Pigeon Island (Mou Waho) and grazed 200 sheep.

1863
New Ferry and Store at Sandypoint

Having sold his Albert Town ferry in December 1862, George Hassing and his partner Wm. Ellacott commenced their new businesses in March 1863 at Sandypoint (about 8km in a straightline down the Clutha River from the Red Bridge location).

1863
John Connell's Townships surveys

In April he surveyed areas for proposed townships of Wakefield (near Bendigo), Pembroke ( to be re-named Wanaka), Newcastle (Albert Town) and Gladstone (just east of  the current Lake Hāwea township).

1863
Runs change hands

John Roy sells Run 334 to Robert Wilkin on a “time payment” schedule.

1864
Wilkin & Thomson's Sheep Returns

The 1864 Return shows they stocked 46,317 sheep on Runs 239, 240, 245, 334 & 340 ranging from Motatapu & Cardrona through the Clutha to Cromwell.

1864
Inn built at Kidd's Gully

About this date Thomas Anderson built the Way-Side Inn at Kidd’s Gully.

1865
The Norman family moved to Albert Town

Henry Norman, who had purchased an accommodation house, store and ferry business where Albert Town was originally settled (on the northern side of the Clutha River), moved his family and businesses onto sections he had purchased across the river (the southern side) where Albert Town now exists.

1865
Mrs Pipson - First Woman Settler at Makarora

Anna Jane Hendry, who married Caleb Pipson, was the first non-Maori woman to live at Makarora. Caleb Pipson was known as ‘Strathallan Jack’.

1866
Gin & Raspberry gold claim at Cardrona started operations
1866
John Stevenson, new Station Manager for Mt Burke Station at Maungawera

Stevenson took over as manager when Candy moved to North Canterbury.  Left in 1871.  Stevenson’s Island and Stevenson’s Arm in Lake Wānaka named after him.

1866
Runs Change Ownership

H.S.Campbell bought the Wanaka Station Runs (239, 240 & 334). Howell & Loughman Bros bought Runs 245 & 340.

1867
Deer released on Morven Hills

Four fallow deer released by John McLean on Morven Hills Station. Later, in 1871, Otago  Acclimatisation Society released seven red deer yearlings near Lake Hāwea.

1867
World's First Sheep Dog Trials

On 18 April the World’s first recorded sheep dog trials were held at Dogmatch Flat (near foot of Hillend) on Henry Campbell’s Wanaka Station. John Craig and dog ‘Sweep’ won £5 first prize.

1867
J D Ross started a sawmill at Lake Hāwea
1867
Cardrona Grows

Cardrona developed a bakery, general store and hotels in response to the increasing population of gold miners.

1867
Theodore Russell married Celia Hedditch

Bringing together two influential families, the marriage of Theodore and Celia was significant to the early development of Pembroke as they both contributed much in terms of business (tourism, timber milling) and social development of the community (arranging the first sporting meets, hosting public meetings in their hotel, etc).

1867
Queensberry Inn built

Thomas Anderson built and opened The Queensberry Inn.

1868
Birth at Cardrona

Mary Ann Halliday was the first child of the early settlers born at Cardrona.

1868
Horse racing, rabbits and quail

Horse racing is held annually at a racecourse in Albert Town; Rabbits and quail found near Lake Wānaka.

1868
First Hotel in Pembroke built.

Theodore Russell & Charles Hedditch built and operated the first Wanaka Hotel, and advertised for tourists.

1868
Alfred Pinn and George Hassing build the "Eureka"

“Eureka” was a 40 ton sailing ship built on Pigeon Island (Mou Waho).

1868
Excursions on Lake Wānaka.

Cutter yachts “Water Lily” and “The Lady of the Lake” offered excursions on Lake Wānaka.

1869
First School in the district

First school in the district opened at Albert Town in 1868/9. G.S. Pope teacher. Christine Munro was the last teacher at Albert Town when the school closed in 1876. It reopened again in 1878.

1869
Hotel & Store opened in Luggate by Harry Maidman

Store and hotel (named Albion Hotel & Store) was opened at Luggate by Harry Maidman and his wife Fanny Cole. Harry later moved to farm at Mt Barker.

1870
Cardrona School opened

Opened on 7 February, initially in a local residence before a classroom was built. Albert Town School’s original teacher, G. S. Pope, relocated to become the first teacher at Cardrona School. In 1877 George Hassing is the school’s teacher.  Closed in 1948.

1870
Albion Hotel and Store, Luggate, appointed district Post Office
1870
 Cardrona a thriving gold mining town and business hub for the Upper Clutha
1870
Call for large runs to be broken up to allow smaller freeholdings
1870
Morven Hills Station Woolshed built

Early in the 1870s, John McLean built the Morven Hills Station Woolshed which still stands today.

1871
First sections for farming made available at Hāwea Flat
1871
Small part of Morven Hills Station Subdivided

2460 acres of Run 236 was subdivided into 49 sections of about 50 acres each for farming and settlement.

1872
First sailing regatta races held on Lake Wānaka
1872
Scurr and Drake families settle in the Upper Clutha

David Scurr arrived in Cardrona; the Drake brothers, Arthur & Fordham, settled on Hāwea Flat. The brothers were sons of Rev. Benjamin Drake, Presbyterian Minister in Upper Clutha from 1844-90.

1873
Lindis Pass Hotel built
1873
Post Office opened

Theodore Russell appointed postmaster and operated from the Wanaka Hotel store.  His widow Celia became postmistress after his death in 1877.

1874
Urquhart Family settles near Lake Hāwea

The Urquhart family, well known residents of Hāwea Flat, originally settled near the Dingle Creek outlet into Lake Hāwea.

1874
50 ton sailing ship "Nun" built and launched by Alfred Pinn
1874
Morven Hills Station sold

John McLean sold Morven Hills Station when his  14 year lease term expired.

1875
Wanaka Station adds Runs

Campbell added Runs 337 (Minaret), 340B (Branch Creek), and Runs 338 & 430B (to the north between Lakes Wanaka & Hawea) to Wanaka Station.

1875
Bendigo School opened

Closed at end of 1925.

1876
Rabbits first reported as a pest in Manuherikia
1877
Theodore Russell and Joseph Ewing set up Matukituki sawmills

Theodore Russell and Joseph Ewing set up Matukituki sawmills at Mill Creek, in the Matukituki Valley

1877
William Monteith brings new business

William Monteith arrived in Pembroke and later set up a store at Albert Town and on Criffel Goldfield.

 

1877
Campbell & McLean operated the top punt at Albert Town

Campbell and McLean started operating the top punt at Albert Town. Punt was positioned on the west side of the current Albert Town Bridge. It ceased operations the day the bridge opened in 1930.

 

1877
Brown trout liberated in the lakes
1877
Theodore Russell dies

Pembroke founding father, Theodore Russell, died aged  32 years.

1877
Libraries funded in Pembroke and Cardrona

Lake County Council approves funding [£30] for the Pembroke Library and the same amount was promised to the newly formed Cardrona Library committee.

1877
Agricultural leasehold land balloted at Mt Barker
1877
Ewan and Marion Cameron take up Glenfinnan Station

Runs 458 and 468 at the head of the Matukituki Valley and named Glenfinnan Station by the Camerons.  Abandoned to the rabbits about 1885.

1878
Great Flood in September

The ‘Great Flood’ of lakes & rivers in Upper Clutha – Lake Wānaka’s level rose to 281.8m [compared with the flood of 1999 when the lake reached 281.3m asl]. Flooded almost every settlement, especially Albert Town [Newcastle] where buildings [Norman’s stable and store], stock and equipment were lost to flood waters. Very heavy snowfalls that year.

1878
Robert McDougall's house built in Pembroke
1879
General store built in Pembroke

Robert McDougall senior, who had previously opened a store in Cardrona, built a new store in Pembroke opposite the Wanaka Hotel.

 

 

1879
Forest nursery established

Robert McDougall sets up a tree nursery near the mouth of the Cardrona River; managed by Robert Studholme.

1879
First inter-district Cricket Match between Pembroke and Cromwell
1879
Cromwell Argus reports on rabbit pest

Many newspapers reported on the rabbit infestation which was a major problem for farmers.

1879
Hugh MacPherson acquired Mt Aspiring Station land

Bought land and built a homestead in the east branch of the Matukituki Valley.  The Run was named Mt Aspiring Station later on.

1880
Pembroke School opened

School built on Tenby Street opened with 22 pupils on 13 January. First  teacher Reverand Charles Connor.  Renamed Wanaka District High School in 1940 when Pembroke was renamed Wanaka. New classrooms were added in 1950.

1880
Luggate punt operations across the Clutha

Newly erected punt opened for operations across the Clutha River near Luggate. 1882 Vincent County approved a transfer of operations to a new site (where Red Bridge is now). 1887 Vincent County took over control of the punt.

1880
Gold discovered at Lake Hāwea; Hotel built

Gold discovered at Long Valley, Lake Hāwea. Richard Cayford opened the Panama Hotel and Store at Long Valley.

 

1880
W.G. Stewart, Runholder of Mount Albert Station
1881
Luggate Flour Mill opened

Luggate Mill was opened by partnership of Thos Anderson and Peter McIntosh.

1881
First Pembroke smithy established

Joel Cayford starts his blacksmith business in Ardmore Street. 

1881
Paddle steamer "Theodore" on Lake Wānaka

PS “Theodore” was built  by Asher Smith,  but co-owned  by Asher  and Charles Hedditch. “Theodore” was launched in 1881 on Lake Wānaka but did not enter commercial activities until 1883.

1881
Parts of Wanaka West and Mt Pisa Stations recommended for subdivision
1881
Flourmill opened at Luggate

Flourmill opened at Luggate owned by Thomas Anderson, farmer of Mt Barker and Peter McIntosh, carrier.

1881
First Rabbit Districts defined and trustees appointed
1882
Hāwea Flat School opened

Primary school opened March 1882. Mungo Allison first teacher.

1883
Pembroke Library building opened in Ardmore Street
1883
Gold discovered on Criffel

Wilson, Halliday & Beattie discovered gold on the Criffel.

1883
Telephone service opens

Postal and phone service opened up in Robert McDougall’s store.

1883
McDougall & Son partnership established

Robert McDougall Senior went into partnership with his son Robert Junior, trading as Robert McDougall & Son.

1884
New Albion Hotel at Luggate

Thomas Trevathan opened the new Albion Hotel at Luggate. Building still exists as Luggate  Hotel.

1884
First mustelids released in the Upper Clutha

Stoats, weasels and ferrets introduced to the Upper Clutha; 67 weasels were released on The Peninsula (between Lake Wānaka and Stevenson’s Arm); 23 stoats released on the east side of Lake Hāwea; 177 ferrets were also released at the head of Lake Wānaka.

1885
Luggate School opened

Opened with  a roll of 13 pupils. Closed 19 June 1950.

1885
Kane Family settled at Grandview

John Kane was farm manager on Grandview 1885-1890; he then leased it and Mt Barker for 10 years with a right of purchase. Grandview has remained in the Kane family since.

1885
Wharf Hotel opened at Makarora

Robert & Maggie Moffat built and opened the Wharf Hotel at Water Fall Creek, Makarora.

1885
Criffel gold diggings productive for a decade

1885
Tarras School opened

Opened on 14 September.

1885
Criffel Goldfields stores open

Robert McDougall and William Monteith open stores on the Criffel Goldfields.

1885
Commercial Hotel at Pembroke


Opening of Commercial Hotel at Pembroke by William Allan.

1885
Ewan Cameron moves to Cattle Creek

Abandons Glenfinnan Station to the rabbits and moves his stock to his new Run.

1886
Chalmers & Ironside Butchery opened in Pembroke

John Ironside established a partnership with Archie Chalmers but Chalmers died (29 April 1886) before Butchery was opened.

 

1886
First Gaol and Police Station

 At the corner of Dunmore and Helwick Streets, the first police station, gaol and police residence were built, known as Plods Patch. Gaol still exists.

1886
Pembroke Jockey Club formed for horse racing at Mt Iron (Albert Town)
1886
John Faulks arrived in Hāwea Flat

John Faulks, aged 16, arrived Hāwea Flat in 1886 to work for an uncle (Mclennan)

1886
Olympic Hall community venue

Built by Celia Russell opposite the Wanaka Hotel and used for community purposes. 

1887
Pembroke grows

Directories record 39 households in Pembroke.

1887
Wanaka Station liquidated

Wanaka Station liquidated – result of overstocking, falling wool prices, rabbits & effect of the Great Flood.

1888
Wanaka, Minaret and & Mt Albert Stations shearing begins

Robert Stewart, Manager announces shearing on 2nd January.

1889
Queensberry School opened

Originally known as the Wanaka Road School, the Queensberry School opened in 1889 with Isabella Hitchcock as its first teacher.  In the early 1900s the school closed, re-opened, closed again, finally re-opening in 1923.  It had a reputation of being the smallest school building in New Zealand.  In 1927 the Education Department part-funded a replacement building (same size) which opened in early 1928 and was finally closed in 1964.

1890
Gold dredges began operations on the Clutha River

Gold dredges started operating on the Clutha River. At one stage, there were four dredges operating between the Luggate Punt and Albert Town.

1890
Henry Barker planted trees around Glendhu Bay foreshore
1890
First flax mill at Makarora

1891
Stations change hands

Wanaka Station bought by R.M. (Robert) & C.A. (Charles) Turnbull; Motatapu & Glendhu blocks were subdivided off the lease.  Mt Burke, Mt Albert & Minaret runs abandoned.

1892
St Patrick's Catholic Church opened at Hāwea Flat
1894
Building of SS "Makarora" commences

Building started in early 1895 on the foreshore at Pembroke.  William Allan (on right) was the owner. Launched in 1900.

1895
Makarora School opened

Opened June 1895.

1895
James (Mack) Templeton buys Pembroke Blacksmith business

Mack Templeton purchased the Pembroke Blacksmith business from Joel Cayford and sold it in August 1899.

1895
Pembroke Cricket Club formed
1897
Luggate Cricket Club formed
1897
Wanaka South Run split up

Run 334 split up and parts sold to J & R Studholme, R Paterson and Henry Barker.

1898
Sheep Dog Trials recommenced

Sheep Dog Trials recommenced and a Trials committee was formed with its first AGM held  in 1899.

1899
Duncan MacPherson buys Mt Aspiring Station


He was a nephew of the seller, Hugh MacPherson. Run extended to the top of Mt Aspiring.

1899
Provincial boundaries finally resolved

Provincial boundary between Canterbury and Otago affecting the Upper Clutha northern region was finally resolved. Makarora now part of Otago.

1900
SS "Makarora" commences services

Used for freight and passenger services on Lake Wānaka.

1900
Wm Reid & Son Ltd transport business opened at Luggate
1900
John Miller and his family move to Mt Barker

John Miller and his family move to Mt Barker and farm the area approximated by the current Faulks Farm location.  Previously operated packhorses over the Crown Range from Branch Creek, Cardrona Valley.

1900
Rev A D Mitchell the first Vicar of Pembroke Parish

Also Vicar from 1924-26

1901
Maungawera School opened

James Robertson, teacher. Closed in 1906, but re-opened again 1924; permanently closed 28 February 1946.

1902
St Bridget's Catholic Church opens in Cardrona
1902
Wanaka Station acquires water-right

Robert Turnbull, the new owner of Wanaka Station, acquired water-right for 6 heads for farming purposes.  Seen as a key to realising potential of the land.

1902
St Columba's Anglican Church built at Pembroke

On  land donated by the Faulks family.

1904
New McDougall & Sons store

Andrew McDougall built a new McDougall & Sons store next to the old store that was demolished.

1904
James (Mack) Templeton opens blacksmith shop at Albert Town

This becomes the longest continuous business operated in the Upper Clutha in one family name.  The business (Templeton Engineering) was sold in 2021.

1904
Maungawera punt cost the Vincent County Council £700
1905
Paddle Steamer 'Theodore' finally laid up
1905
St Andrew's Presbyterian Church built at Pembroke

1906
Albert Town school classes resume

School resumes with classes held in the Albert Town Hotel dining room.

 

1907
Willis Scaife bought Glendhu & West Wānaka Stations
1908
Rugby & tennis competitions started at Pembroke
1909
SS "Makarora" wrecked near Stoney Creek

Ran ashore and wrecked near Stoney Creek (towards Wanaka Station Park, Wanaka)

1909
First recorded ascent of Mt Aspiring (Tititea)

First ascent on 23 November by Major Bernard Head, Jack Clarke and Alec Graham

1910
Morven Hills Station subdivided into 30 smaller runs
1910
Wanaka Rifle Club formed
1910
Tourist Service Cars operated from Mt Cook to Pembroke

Two years later, Tourist Service Cars extended its operations to include Mt Cook to Queenstown after motor cars were permitted to travel over the Crown Range in 1912.

1911
Golf Links opened at Pembroke

A newly formed golf club opened a nine hole links course on The Commonage (now known as Pembroke Park).

1911
Rainbow trout released in Upper Clutha lakes
1911
 Pembroke & Hāwea Jockey clubs amalgamated
1912
Rowley family settled at Lake Hāwea Station
1912
Percy Sargood, businessman and philanthropist, purchases Wanaka Station

Also purchased the senior water rights to the Cardrona.  Sir Percy was knighted in 1935.

1913
First commercial lorry operates in Upper Clutha

First commercial lorry owned by George Partridge, operated in partnership with S Hunt of Pembroke.

1913
Hāwea Sporting Club formed
1913
Wanaka Station developments

Sir Percy Sargood planted 8,000 fruit trees to create Wanaka Orchards.  He also imported the first tractor to the Upper Clutha this year.  The Wanaka Homestead was destroyed by fire and a new one designed and built.

1914
McDougall's Store changes owners

In a mortgagee sale, McDougall & Sons Store, Ardmore Street, (owned by Peter McDougall  since 1910) was sold to David A Jolly. The Jolly family had the store until 1939 when it was sold to Wanaka Stores Company.

1914
'Grand Opening Ball' held at new Hāwea Public Hall
1914
Upper Clutha population estimated about 900 adults
1914
Upper Clutha residents serve during World War 1

During the four and a half years of WW1, 206 men and a nurse from the Upper Clutha served on active duty. The nurse and 49 men gave their lives.

1915
Opening of "Red Bridge" at Luggate across the Clutha River

Replaced the punt service.

1915
Robert McDougall dies

Long held as the “Father of Pembroke” due to his service to the community, Robert was chairman of the Pembroke School Committee, Justice of the Peace, and the first elected member of the Lake County Council, amongst other roles.

.

1916
1916 Population Census: Hāwea Flat 216; Cardrona 111; Pembroke 113
1918
Celebrations mark the end of WW I

The announcement that World War I had ended on November 11,1918 was received by residents on November 12 and celebrated with a gathering at Pembroke.

1919
Ardgour School opens

Opened In September 1919 and closed in 1940 when all pupils were transferred to Tarras Primary School.

1920
Mt Aspiring Station lease sold

John (Jack) Aspinall and Theo Russell purchased the lease 5 May, 1920.  Ownership still remains in the Aspinall family to the present date (2022).

1920
Olympic Hall land purchased

John Faulks purchased the land opposite the Wānaka Hotel on which stood the Olympic Hall  (also known as Russell’s Hall or Pembroke Hall)  from Theodore Russell  (Jnr).

1921
First aircraft landing in Upper Clutha

An Avro aircraft, piloted by Capt. Buckley, landed at Pembroke Flats. Took three single passengers on separate flights.

1921
Tarras Church built
1922
Cenotaph unveiled

The Cenotaph, on Chalmers Street, built in remembrance of those who served and died during World War I, was unveiled by James Horn MP.

 

1922
Annette Gunn, Pembroke District Nurse

Annette Gunn began work in Pembroke as a District Nurse.

1922
New Pembroke Hall proposed

John Faulks establishes a trust to manage the land (purchased in 1920) and to build a new Pembroke Hall on the land originally occupied by Wanaka”s  first community venue, the Olympic Hall. The Olympic Hall building was relocated to a farm.

1922
Mt Iron Dog Trial course first used
1922
Albert Town block sold to T Gunn

The block was subdivided in 1950/60s into sections to expand the area of Albert Town – Alison Avenue, Lagoon Avenue, Gunn Road, Dale Street etc.

1922
First Wanaka Hotel destroyed by fire
1923
Second Wanaka Hotel built

Opened before Christmas ‘without fanfare’.

1924
New Pembroke Hall officially opens

The hall was operating as early as March 4, 1924 but not officially opened until May 12. Its first ball was held on May  24, 1924. The Hall cost £2368; public funds were raised but there was also a mortgage of at least £800. This hall was renamed the Wanaka Hall when the town was renamed Wanaka  in  1940.

1924
Luggate school destroyed by fire
1924
Public bus service

Public bus service to Wānaka provided by White Star with a 24-seat Leyland  bus.

 

1925
White Star Accommodation House opens

Dunedin-Wanaka Motors Ltd buys the boarding house owned by Mary Allan in Ardmore Street and shortly afterwards it becomes known at the White Star Accommodation House.

1925
Lake House accommodation at Hāwea

Claude Capell opened the Lake House at Lake Hāwea and launched the “Bellbird” on the lake. The Lake House was the forerunner to The Lake Hāwea Hotel.

1926
Bowling Club established in Pembroke

Bowling greens and a clubhouse were built on land owned by James Faulks and officially opened October 25, 1926. In 1971, the Club became incorporated and the land was transferred to the Club by the estate of Mrs Faulks.

1927
Ruby Island cabaret

Cabaret, organised by Sybil and John Hunt, began with attendees being ferried between Roys Bay and Ruby Island. Cabaret ran for three years until 1930 when the Hunts went farming.

1927
Jolly's new concrete Store

D A Jolly & Sons built a new store (now the Four Square Store, Ardmore Street) following the fire at the bakery behind the original store.

 

1927
Launch service starts on Lake Wānaka

John Hunt brought two launches to Wanaka to operate a weekly service to Makarora. 

1928
Lake Wānaka Ferry Service established

JS Hunt & JM Mackay established Lake Wānaka Ferry Service Ltd.

1928
Glendhu Station split to form West Wanaka Station

West Wānaka separated from Glendhu Station and was taken over by Noel Scaife and his sons Richard & Gerald, while Willis Scaife operated Glendhu.

1929
Mt Burke Station settled by the Burdon Family

 

 

1929
First woman climbs Mt Aspiring

 Lillian Familton was the first woman to climb Mt Aspiring in December 1929.

 

1930
James Horn Bridge over Clutha at Albert Town opened

It replaced the punts that had operated since about 1862.

1930
Residential Pembroke grows

Directories record 134 households in Pembroke.

1930
Famous tree planted

The Wanaka Tree, a willow branch originally used as a fence post “planted” in Lake Wanaka’s lakebed, sprouted in the 1930s.  It was still in use as a fence line post in 1939.

1930
Camp Hill Road Bridge opened

Bridge over the Hawea River giving access to Hawea Flat from the main highway (State Highway 6) to Makarora etc.

1932
St David's Presbyterian Church opens

Having been relocated from Hindon to Luggate, St David’s Presbyterian Church opens.

1932
Lindis Pass School opens

Opened 21 November and closed in 1943 when pupils were transferred to Tarras Primary School.

1934
First Upper Clutha A&P Show at Pembroke

First Upper Clutha Agricultural & Pastoral Show held at Pembroke.

1934
First air delivery of regional newspaper

First Air delivery of the regional Otago Daily Times newspaper to Pembroke.

1935
John Faulks founds the Mt Barker Stud

The foundation thoroughbred sire was Paper Money which sired many well-performed gallopers.

1937
St Ninian's Presbyterian Church, Hāwea Flat, foundation stone laid

Laid by James Arthur Drake

1939
Electric power distributed in Pembroke

Electric  power was sourced by the Otago Central Power Board from the  Roaring Meg station.  OCPB joined the South Island Power Grid in 1957.  

1940
Pembroke name changed to Wanaka

Also Pembroke School was renamed as Wanaka District High School and included two primary classes.

1946
Mt Aspiring Hut built

Arthur P Harper laid the foundation stone for the hut built in the Matukituki Valley.

1954
Luggate Memorial Hall opened

1955
Wanaka included in Lake County

Wanaka becomes part of Lake County Council.

1956
New route for Luggate - Wanaka traffic

The road from Luggate to Wanaka was re-routed; traffic no longer had to travel via Albert Town.

1958
Lake Hāwea outlet dammed

Lake Hāwea, which flows into the Hāwea River and thereafter into the Clutha River, becomes a storage lake for the Roxburgh Hydro Electric Power Dam. 1992 Clyde Dam built on the Clutha, and Lake Hāwea Dam became the responsibility of  Contact Energy which owned and operated the Clyde Dam.

1958
Second Wanaka Hotel Destroyed by Fire
1960
Road from Makarora to Haast only opens
1964
Wanaka Hall

The Wanaka Hall and its land was  transferred to a new incorporated society, the Wanaka Hall Committee, which took over the hall’s management, (formerly known as Pembroke Hall).

1964
Mt Aspiring National Park gazetted

Now part of Te Wähipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

1964
Wanaka Tourist Hotel Corporation Hotel opened

Located on Ardmore Street.

1965
Wānaka Fire Station opened

On Ardmore Street.  Since replaced by a new Fire Station on Ballantyne Road.

1965
Hokitika to Wānaka Road opened

Road (SH 6) from Hokitika to Wānaka, via the Haast Pass, opened by the Prime Minister, Sir Keith Holyoake on 6 November.

1967
New Wanaka Library built

A new library was built on Ardmore Street, replacing the existing Wanaka Library first established on Ardmore Street in 1883.

The Wanaka Library, built in 1967, is the centre of celebrations marking 100 years of libraries in Wanaka.

1968
Treble Cone (Wanaka) Ski Field Ltd formed

Started as a small club of enthusiasts in 1965 and developed into a major skifield up the Matukituki Valley.

1972
Lake Hāwea Volunteer Fire Brigade formed 29 May
1972
Mt Aspiring National Park Visitors Centre opened

Corner of SH 84 and Ballantyne Road, Wānaka.  Owned and operated by  Department of Conservation.

1973
HOWL public protest group forms

Hands Off Wanaka  Lake (HOWL) protest group formed and legislation passed to protect Lake Wanaka from being dammed for power generation.

1973
The Wānaka Maze opened

Developed by Stuart and Jan Landsborough, off SH 84, near Mt Iron. Now known as Puzzling World and includes optical illusion rooms & a cafe.

1975
Rippon Vineyard established

Central Otago’s first commercial vineyard, Rippon Vineyard  is established off Mt Aspiring Road, overlooking Lake Wanaka.

1976
Wanaka Medical Centre opened

On Russell Street. Closed in 2011 when the medical practice was relocated to the new Wanaka Lakes Medical Centre,

1976
Wanaka Area School
Wanaka District High School renamed Wanaka Area School. Principal David Jaquiery. Closed in December 1986 when the school population was split between primary and secondary students.  Mount Aspiring College was built for secondary school pupils and the existing Area School became Wanaka  Primary School in 1987.
1977
Wanaka Station Park gifted to the Community

Gifted by the Sargood Trust.

1980
Cardrona Ski Field opened

Founders and owners were John and Mary Lee. Known as Cardrona Alpine Resort, it opened for just three weeks in the winter of 1980.

1980
Wanaka Special Medical Area rescinded

Became a private medical practice.

1981
Pembroke Mall opened
1983
Wānaka Airport opened

Located off SH 6 near Luggate. Owned by Queenstown Lakes District Council.

1984
Wanaka Hall under council management

After extensive negotiations with Lake County Council, management of the hall was  transferred from the Wanaka Hall Committee Inc to the Council.

1984
First Automotive Product Testing at Wairorau, Cardrona

Part of the Snow Farm complex at Waiorau and known as the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds.  The only southern hemisphere vehicle testing facility.

1985
Old Our Lady of Fatima Church relocated

The original Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic church was relocated from Wanaka and returned  its original home at Cardrona.

1986
New Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church opens

New church situated on Brownston Street.

1986
Edgewater Resort opened
1987
Wānaka Primary School opened
Formerly named Wanaka Area School, it reopened with 182 pupils. Rebuilding and renovations were completed in 1994 but the school outgrew its Tenby Street site and closed in 2010. A bigger primary school was built near the high school in 2010.
1987
Mt Aspiring College opened

Situated on Plantation Road, it opened with 212 students. It replaced the Wānaka Area School.

1988
First Wānaka Air Show

Now known as Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow, the two-day event is held biennially at Easter. Attracts crowds of 50,000.

1989
Mt Aspiring College officially opened by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal

The College was officially opened by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal (Princess Anne) on 4 March.

1990
Nordic ski area opened at Waiorau

Nordic (cross-country) ski area opened at Waiorau just north of Cardrona.  Became known as the Snow Farm later on.

1995
Aspiring Medical Centre established

Located on Brownston Street by sole practitioner Dr Susie Meyer. 2012 relocated to Wānaka Lakes Health Centre on Cardrona Valley Road.

1995
National Transport & Toy Museum opens

National Transport & Toy Museum,  built adjacent to the Wanaka Airport, opened on Boxing Day.

1999
Lake Wānaka flood reaches the second highest recorded level

The flood reached the second highest recorded level of 281.32 meters above sea level.
Average level of Lake Wānaka is about 277.3 metres above sea level. Many town centre businesses closed for a week or more.

2001
Lake Wānaka Centre opened

Located on Bullock Creek, off Ardmore Street, in the town’s centre. Comprises a large auditorium with mezzanine; a medium sized meeting room, kitchen and bar; and a small meeting room. It replaced the Wanaka Hall, on Ardmore Street,  built in 1924, and known as Pembroke Hall until 1940.

2001
Millennium Path completed
Community project initiated and funded by Wanaka residents to celebrate the turning of the 21st century began in 2000. It comprised 2000 tiles recording 2000 years of historical events, and bordered a public path along the Roys Bay foreshore for 650m. Council removed these original tiles in 2019 and replaced them with Te Ara Maumahara Memory Path.
2002
Snow Park Free-skiing and Snow-boarding Area opened at Waiorau, Cardrona

At Waiorau just north of Cardrona.

2003
New Wānaka Library on Bullock Creek Lane opened

Built on the edge of Bullock Creek. Contains the UCHRS Records Room facility. Replaced the former library on Ardmore Street.

2006
Holy Family Catholic School opened
2010
New Wānaka Primary School opened

New school built on Ironside Drive, between Kings Drive and Totara Terrace opened.  Close to Mt Aspiring College. Replaced the former Wanaka Primary School in the town centre on Tenby Street.

2012
Wānaka Lakes Health Centre opened

On Cardrona Valley Road. Contains two medical practices (Aspiring Medical and Wanaka Medical)  a wide range of other health and associated services, including a helicopter landing pad for emergency evacuations.

2012
Pembroke Cemetery Memorial Wall erected

Memorial Wall erected with names of people in unmarked graves in the Old Pembroke Cemetery.

2013
New Police Station on Ballantyne Road opened
2014
That Wanaka Tree

As the subject of a winning entry in 2014 NZ Geographic photograph of the year, the Wanaka Tree became a social media sensation and one of NZ’s most photographed natural features.

2015
New LANDSAR Building opened

Landsar = Land Search and Rescue. Situated in Ballantyne Road and opened by the Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae on 7 March.

2016
New Fire Station on Ballantyne Road opened
2016
Wānaka Recreation Centre at Three Parks opened
2018
Queenstown Airport Corporation granted 100 Year Lease of Wānaka Airport

QAC paid $14.5M for the lease of council land and assets (approved in  2017);  but the 100-year lease lasted only three years when on April 21, 2021 a High Court case decided the lease was unlawful. Wānaka Airport returned to Council’s possession with a QAC operational management agreement.

2020
Te Kura O Take Kārara Primary School opens
 Constructed in 2019 on Grace Wright Drive, Three Parks, for $16M it opened with 113 pupils. Principal Jodie Howard.
2020
Tarras Airport proposal

Christchurch International Airport Ltd reveals it has purchased hundreds of hectares of  Tarras farm land and proposes a new international airport. By 2023, CIAL had purchased almost 800ha.

2021
Name change to Wānaka and Lake Wānaka

The inclusion of a macron to several place names including Wānaka and Lake Wānaka was notified in the New Zealand Gazette on 26 August 2021 with the support of Ngāi Tahu.

2021
Warbirds and Wheels Museum closes

Opened by Robert and Lynnette Duncan in 2011, Lynnette closed the museum after the death of her husband,  Robert, a vintage car enthusiast.

2023
Te Ara Maumahara Memory Path opens

Ceramic tiles recording significant events in our history laid beside a new public path; these replaced the original Millennium Tiles on the Roys Bay foreshore that were installed in 2001.

2023
Sir Tim Wallis dies