About

The Wānaka History logo - A stylized map pin icon with a circular outline and a downward pointing arrow inside it, in orange color.

Wānaka History promotes stories of Wānaka and the Upper Clutha area of Aotearoa New Zealand

Wānaka History is a project of the Upper Clutha History Society, using photographs, maps, documents and oral history records from their archive.

Black and white aerial view of Wanaka, taken from hill above Hedditch Street in the 1940s or 1950s. You can spot the second Wanaka Hotel and Lake Wanaka on the right.

Wānaka, 1930s

The Upper Clutha History Society established Wānaka History in 2024. 

The Upper Clutha History Society was established in 1985 to collect and preserve records and images of the history of the region and make them available to the public. The records are held in a special room in the Wānaka Library and in digital files on the Society’s Computer System.

A team of volunteers provides research assistance (appointments are necessary) to members of the public who may be looking for their family history or for persons searching for aspects of NZ history.

There are many ways you can support the Society include donating, becoming a member and offering your time, knowledge or expertise as a volunteer.

The Upper Clutha History Society is a registered charity (Charity Number CC50304), and our Constitution can be found here.

Our supporters

Logo of Queenstown Lakes District Council, featuring a stylized mountain range icon and the name of the council.

Wānaka History is made possible because of the generous support from the following organisations:

Logo of OTAGO Community Trust featuring interconnected yellow and blue human figures in a circular pattern with the organization's name.
Official logo of Central Lakes Trust, featuring a stylized orange and blue fork circular design with the text "Central Lakes Trust" in dark blue.

GRAHAM & OLIVE WEST CHARITABLE TRUST