1434 more enjoy Wanaka lifestyle

Charlotte and Bruce McPhail, from Christchurch, are part of the increase in Wanaka's population....
Charlotte and Bruce McPhail, from Christchurch, are part of the increase in Wanaka's population. Photo by Mark Price.
Christchurch expatriates Charlotte and Bruce McPhail are two of those who were part of the 1434 increase in Wanaka's population between 2006 and 2013.

The town now has 6474 people who are ''usually resident'' and Lake Hawea's population has climbed from 1596 to 2172.

Mr McPhail said yesterday they made the move to Wanaka to ''escape earthquake-ravaged Christchurch''.

''We wanted a change of lifestyle.''

Mr McPhail said they started off looking at houses in Akaroa they could convert into a bed and breakfast but that idea ''somehow morphed into this''.

''This'' is the 19-unit Alpine Motel and Apartments in Ardmore St, Wanaka, which they bought almost exactly a year ago.

''We had both been in office environments and wanted to enjoy the great outdoors, and where better than Wanaka?'' he said.

Mrs McPhail said their Christchurch house was affected by the earthquake but ''not drastically'' and it had been repaired.

They had not yet decided to sell it, ''so we can go back if we want to'', she said.

Mr McPhail said they were managing the motels themselves and living in the complex while they decided whether to buy a house in Wanaka.

Mrs McPhail considered property prices around Wanaka ''astronomical'' and ''overpriced''.

The couple marvelled at the number of expensive holiday houses in Wanaka.

''Who can own a $2 million property down there on the waterfront and leave it shut up for 10 months of the year?'' Mr McPhail asked.

However, he said, they were enjoying ''the business, the lifestyle, the people, the town''.

Now, on visits to Christchurch, they were struck by the poor state of the streets there and a seeming lack of progress on rebuilding.

''It's such a joy to come here,'' Mr McPhail said of Wanaka.

mark.price@odt.co.nz

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