Turangawaewae

__ **Places of Th** ____ **e Heart - Wanaka My Home** __ I love Wanaka because its my home, it's a beautiful place to live, with great scenery, wonderful views and there is never nothing to do, weather its sitting on the lake front on the verge of dusk or if it's sliding down the the snowy slopes in winter. Thats why i love Wanaka so much!
 * __Wanaka__**

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= **__History__** = Wanaka is located in Central Otago, about one hour north or Cromwell, and is a great family holiday spot. 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 as this was the only place to ford the Clutha River. The present site of Wanaka was first surveyed in 1862. Settlement increased in Pembroke (the old name for Wanaka) in the 1870s because of timber milling in the Matukituki Valley and the use of Lake Wanaka for transport. Tourism started in the town in 1867 with the opening of the first hotel, by Theodore Russell. The site proved very popular for tourism because of its temperate climate and easy access to snow and water. = = Ski Feilds were established and since then, Wanaka has been a popular tourist spot.

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