For Sale: One village with a lake at your doorstep and heaps of history

October 27, 2018

If you’ve got a million dollars or so burning a hole in your pocket, it could be yours. (Source: Other)

North Otago's famous Waitaki Village is up for sale, 84 years after it was officially opened.

The village was home to nearly 3000 people in the 1930s, most of them there to construct the Waitaki Dam, one of the last hand-built dams in New Zealand.

Nine people died during the dam's construction between 1929 and 1934 as part of the Waitaki hydroelectric project.

The site was even patrolled by guards during World War Two, such was its national significance.

But now, the worker's village is empty apart from one remaining hut on site out of hundreds that were there in its heyday. 

Real estate agent Kelli Milmine says she's not sure where all the huts went, "but I'm sure they're in backyards all across this area".

The workers are long gone, too. Arthur Wilson, believed to be the longest surviving builder, died in 2011, aged 102.

The site has been largely empty since 1989 after the dam became fully automated.

The current owner has given it a new lease of life, with a cafe, billiards room and lodge, not to mention a mountain and lakeside view across Lake Waitaki.

And the price on the village?

"So if you have a cool $2.8 million, you could be the proud owner," Ms Milmine said.

"Where else in New Zealand can you buy a mountain-side property with a lake at your doorstep, eight houses, one restaurant, an almost 600-metre lodge." she hastened to add.

Holiday houses, conference centre - you choose.

A large piece of New Zealand history is open to bidders.

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