Margaret Scaife
Topics: West Wanaka Station, motel businesses, historic living
Margaret Scaife (nee Butterfield) was a true local in the Upper Clutha District. Born on the side of the road enroute to Cromwell hospital in October 1933, Margaret (Marg) grew up on a farm at Camp Hill, Lake Hāwea. She married Gerald Scaife at 18 and went to live at West Wanaka Station where she had no electricity, no telephone, no driver’s license and a shared car between two families. Marg worked from dawn till dusk raising three children, helping on the farm and cooking for the workers. After selling West Wanaka Station, Marg and Gerald bought Bayview Motels in Wānaka and ran them until 1993. Marg was a wonderful hostess, always warm and welcoming and her enthusiasm and enjoyment of life shined through in everything she did.
Margaret Scaife died in Wānaka on Friday 21 June 2024.
Interviewed by Marie Lewis
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