A Wanaka development initially intended to house workers has instead been given the go-ahead as visitor accommodation. Queenstown Lakes District Council approved resource consent for the town centre property to be used as full-time visitor accommodation once constructed. The project by developer Quarters Group will feature 26 townhouses at 14 Reece Cres. A website for "Reece Quarters" painted it as a brand-new development that "makes the most of Wanaka’s lifestyle in an unbeatable location". "While persons in residential visitor accommodation generally have less regular patterns of behaviour, as this zone is for business mixed use this will be virtually imperceptible and will have minimal adverse effects."

Source: Otago Daily Times January 12, 2026 16:23 UTC