Lake Wānaka and Hāwea, Otago, NZ | Mini

For the one who has waited for the sunset behind That Wānaka Tree. The family who has towed the boat to Hāwea every summer for as long as anyone can remember. The one who always pulls over at The Neck, where the two lakes nearly touch.

Both lakes side by side in 22 centimetres - Wānaka reaching north toward Makarora, Hāwea just across the narrow ridge at The Neck, and the deep blue troughs where both lakes drop well past 300 metres. Laser-cut from premium European Birch in our Auckland studio, and hand-painted layer by layer.

The Mini range

Part of Collect Your Coastline - our new mini range. The same maps we build at full size, scaled down to 22cm square so your favourite stretch of water fits on a shelf. Start with the place that matters most, and collect from there.

Product details

Area: Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea, Otago
Size: Mini - 22 × 22cm
Total layers: 4
Topography: 0m, -60m, -240m, -500m
Deepest points: Lake Wānaka 311m, Lake Hāwea 384m
Bathymetry: Earth Sciences NZ / NZ Oceanographic Institute charts 1975-76
Materials: European Birch Plywood, water-based paint, tung oil
Frame: Built into the map - at home on a shelf or the wall

How they're made

It starts with the lake itself - bathymetric data recording the actual depth of the lakebed, contour by contour. The wood is laser-cut to those exact contours, painted in graduated tones from shallow turquoise to deep blue, and assembled entirely by hand by our team in Auckland. Every map is made this way - slowly, carefully, until the lakebed comes to life.

Made to order

Your mini is made in our Auckland studio once you place your order. Allow up to 2 weeks from your order date, plus shipping. Ordering for a gifting deadline? Let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate.

Common questions

Do you offer a guarantee?
Yes - we offer a full guarantee on craftsmanship. If you're not happy when your map arrives, or any time in the next 3 years, let us know and we'll make it right. Our small team takes real pride in the build quality of everything we send out.

How long will it take to make?
Every mini is made to order in our Auckland studio. Allow up to 2 weeks from your order date, plus shipping. If you need it by a specific date, get in touch and we'll do our best to accommodate.

Will it survive shipping?
Yes - every map is packed carefully in our studio and shipped in protective packaging. If anything arrives less than perfect, let us know and we'll make it right.

What if my favourite place isn't in the range?
The Mini range is growing - get in touch and tell us which coastline you'd like to see next. For a map of your exact spot at full size, take a look at our custom designs.

About the data

The lake depths on this map come from Earth Sciences NZ, digitised from the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute lake charts:

Irwin, J., Main, W. de L., 1975: Lake Hawea, Provisional Bathymetry, 1:47 520. N.Z. Oceanogr. Inst. Chart, Lake Series.
Irwin, J., Ridgway, N.M., 1976: Lake Wanaka, Bathymetry, 1:55 440. N.Z. Oceanogr. Inst. Chart, Lake Series.

Earth Sciences NZ makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of the data in this map. Any reliance on or other use of the data by a third party is entirely at the third party's own risk. Earth Sciences NZ accepts no liability for any loss or damage, whether direct or indirect, consequential or otherwise, arising from reliance on or use of the data.