Queenstown-Lakes District, Administrative district in Otago Region, New Zealand
Queenstown-Lakes is an administrative district on the South Island of New Zealand's Otago Region with a landscape of mountains, lakes, and valleys. The area encompasses diverse terrain that stretches across a significant portion of the southern landscape.
The district was formed in 1986 through a merger that brought two administrative bodies together. This consolidation created the unified structure that manages the area today.
The district integrates Māori principles of land guardianship through initiatives like the Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust, which focuses on biodiversity restoration.
The area is sparsely populated, with wide open landscapes and natural spaces between settlements. Visitors should allow extra time for travel and plan flexibly since distances between communities are substantial.
The district manages three major lakes - Wakatipu, Wānaka, and Hāwea - while supporting a population density of 6 people per square kilometer.
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