Retired science teacher Rosemary Marryatt (69), of Waikanae, on the Kapiti Coast, is the great-granddaughter of William Gilbert Rees, who first made camp on Queenstown Bay with fellow intrepid explorer Nicholas von Tunzelmann in 1860.
Mrs Marryatt and Adrienne Von Tunzelmann, a great-grandniece of Nicholas Von Tunzelmann, are special guests in a series of community events to celebrate the first European arrival in the Lake Wakatipu basin.
Events include a marine salute, a re-enactment of the pioneers' lake-shore trek from Frankton to Queenstown, a Victorian-era cricket match, an open day at a dedicated centre on Earl St and a memorial service at St Peter's Anglican Church.
Mrs Marryatt, who is staying appropriately enough at the Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments, said the festivities planned by a steering committee of nine Wakatipu residents was "fantastic".
"You can't let an important anniversary go by without celebrating.
"It's great to know school children are going to be involved in the trek from Remarkables Primary School to Queenstown Bay, because I think it will be something they remember and gives them a sense of history at a young age."
Mrs Marryatt was the eldest Rees descendant available and also the family historian and genealogist.
She said her Bristol-educated Welsh ancestor was a trusted and disciplined Christian, who was interested in science, sport, mechanics and in doing right by his fellow man.
Mr Rees became a justice of the peace and the godfather of cricket legend William Gilbert "WG" Grace.
Chairman the Rt Rev Dr David Coles said the Pioneers' Arrival Celebration steering committee formed late last year, following informal discussions since mid-2009.
"In 1960, people who were here say there was a major celebration for the centenary, with all kinds of special events.
"As the development of Queenstown has accelerated and people have come and gone, there hadn't been much initiative to celebrate the connection between Rees and Queenstown.
"I was interested in it because William Rees was the donor of the land St Peter's stands on and also he was the first lay reader appointed by the Bishop of Christchurch, where I have been bishop."
Programme
Saturday 8.45am: Marine salute to the settlers' descendants by TSS Earnslaw, Meteor, America's Cup yacht NZL14 and craft at Beach Cove.
10am: Re-enactment of pioneer settlers' horse trek from Kawarau Falls to Queenstown Bay.
"Pioneers" will depart from the lakefront area at the base of the new Remarkables Primary School, in Frankton.
They will be accompanied by pupils from Wakatipu schools in settlers' era costumes.
Narrator for the journey will be New Zealand television personality Dougal Stevenson.
10.15am: "Pioneer settlers" stop at the Frankton Marina Boathouse Restoration Project to recall their contribution to the marine heritage of Lake Wakatipu.
11am: "Pioneers" stop for a demonstration of Victorian-era cricket at the Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments, at Beach Cove on the Frankton walkway.
12.20pm: Official welcome to our "pioneer settlers", their descendants and participants in the Pioneers' Arrival Celebration by Queenstown Lakes deputy mayor John Wilson, at the Rees Memorial, in the Queenstown Gardens.
1.15pm: Official welcome to the descendants and participants in the Pioneers' Arrival Celebration at the Freemasons Lake Lodge of Ophir, on the Queenstown lakefront, by Worshipful Brother Hudson Turnbull, past Master, Lake Lodge of Ophir, and Most Worshipful Brother David Mace, past Grand Master of Freemasons.
Sunday 10.30am: The Pioneers' Arrival - 150th anniversary memorial service at St Peter's Anglican Church, on Church St, Queenstown, conducted by the Rt Rev Dr David Coles, assisted by Mrs Rosemary Marryatt, great-granddaughter of William Gilbert Rees.
Attendance at the service in the church is limited to the church congregation and invited guests.
12.30pm: Open day at the Pioneers' Arrival Celebration Centre, on Earl St.
Features include an illustrated account of the 1860 journey of exploration by Messrs Rees and von Tunzelmann presented by Dougal Stevenson, and a demonstration of landscape painting by heritage artist Craig Primrose.
