If you have ancestors or relatives residing in the Upper Clutha region, please help us to record their footprint by filling out our Pioneer Register Form. This information is a valuable resource for other family members and researchers regarding local history. Such registers have become an important tool to research the history of Aotearoa New Zealand and its peoples.

Useful information includes names, dates, immigration, places of residence, occupations, activities and references which become a valuable for future researchers and family members. This process allows for ordinary people to record their stay in the region.

For register purposes the Upper Clutha area includes – Pembroke/Wānaka, Cardrona, Hāwea, Makarora, Albert Town, Luggate, Tarras, and Cromwell as far south as Bannockburn.

Incomplete forms are acceptable. Supporting information such as certificates, family trees and/or photographs should be submitted with the form.

If you need assistance with this form, please contact us here.

To download a copy of the Pioneer Register Form,
please click here

To view an example of a completed Pioneer Register Form, please click here

Printed forms are also available from the Wānaka Library.

Existing Pioneer Family Registers that may feature names of people who moved through and onwards are:

• Central Otago – based in Alexandra Library McArthur Room

• Tuapeka – based in Lawrence Museum

• Whakatipu Pioneer Family Register – based at the Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown