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Family discovery while travelling New Zealand
On a recent family trip to New Zealand, Walk into Luxury’s founder and Managing Director Nikki King was pleasantly surprised to discover an ancestor with deep connections to the beginning of tourism in Wanaka on the South Island.
By Nikki King
Robert lived in Wanaka well into his 90s, and his influence is seen all over town today. I visited his home in Wanaka – which still stands in its original form on Redwood Lane – and learnt that nearby McDougall Street is named after him. Later, I enjoyed a couple of runs at Cardrona Alpine Resort where I used the McDougall Express ski lift, another local icon carrying his name. At après-ski drinks at the Cardrona Hotel, I found my Great Granddad’s portrait staring back at me on the wall, along with some other early McDougall family photos. His presence was everywhere and my sense of connection as we followed in his footsteps around town was real.
Earlier this year Walk into Luxury introduced its first New Zealand-based signature walk and since then we have continued to expand our luxury offerings on both the North and South Islands. Now that I’m aware of my family’s historic connection, I feel an even greater desire to share the beauty of Aotearoa and continue the family legacy in my own small way.
