Wish Yiz Were Here

A DigitalNZ Story by Robyn Gallagher

A digital Tiki Tour through the formerly government-owned Tourist Hotel Corporation properties, focusing on the 10 hotels that originally made up the THC when it was formed in 1956 - Waitomo Hotel, Wairakei Hotel, Tokaanu Hotel, Chateau Tongariro, Waikaremoana Lake House, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, The Hermitage, Pukaki Hotel, Milford Hotel and Te Anau Hotel.

thc, tourist hotel corporation, waitomo, wairakei, tokaanu, chateu tongariro, waikaremoana, franz josef, hermitage, pukaki

Image: New Zealand. Tourist and Publicity Department :Spectacular sightseeing in friendly New Zealand. [1968].

New Zealand. Tourist and Publicity Department :Spectacular sightseeing in friendly New Zealand. [1968].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Mallitte, Howard Leon, 1910-1979: Relax at Waitomo, New Zealand. HM [1950s]

Mallitte, Howard Leon, 1910-1979: Relax at Waitomo, New Zealand. HM [1950s]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Hotel at Waitomo

Hotel at Waitomo

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Waitomo Caves

Waitomo Caves

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Waitomo Caves: Waitomo Hotel

Waitomo Caves: Waitomo Hotel

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: King, Marcus, 1891-1983 :Stay at Lake House, Waikaremoana. Marcus King [1930-1940?]

King, Marcus, 1891-1983 :Stay at Lake House, Waikaremoana. Marcus King [1930-1940?]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand Tourist Hotel Corporation: Lake House Waikaremoana New Zealand, luggage label

New Zealand Tourist Hotel Corporation: Lake House Waikaremoana New Zealand, luggage label

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Interior of a hotel at Lake Waikaremoana

Interior of a hotel at Lake Waikaremoana

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lake House Tourist Resort, Lake Waikaremoana - Photograph taken by John William McDougall

Lake House Tourist Resort, Lake Waikaremoana - Photograph taken by John William McDougall

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: An aerial view of Lake House, Lake Waikaremoana

An aerial view of Lake House, Lake Waikaremoana

Auckland Libraries

Image: Tourist Hotel Corporation :Wairakei Hotel, New Zealand [Luggage label. 1950s?]

Tourist Hotel Corporation :Wairakei Hotel, New Zealand [Luggage label. 1950s?]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Marsh, R G, fl 1915-1925, photographer :Hotel at Wairakei; Geyser Valley. [ca 1915-1925].

Marsh, R G, fl 1915-1925, photographer :Hotel at Wairakei; Geyser Valley. [ca 1915-1925].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Wairakei Hotel, Taupo

Wairakei Hotel, Taupo

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Wairakei Hotel Interiors etc.

Wairakei Hotel Interiors etc.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tokaanu Hotel

Tokaanu Hotel

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand Railways. Publicity Branch: Chateau Tongariro National Park; best reached by rail. Issued by the Publicity Branch, N.Z. Railways. N.Z. Railways Studios. [Printed by] C.S.W. Ltd, N.Z. [ca 1932]

New Zealand Railways. Publicity Branch: Chateau Tongariro National Park; best reached by rail. Issued by the Publicity Branch, N.Z. Railways. N.Z. ...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Chateau Tongariro, Tongariro National Park

Chateau Tongariro, Tongariro National Park

Auckland Libraries

Image: New Zealand Historic Buildings: Chateau Tongariro

New Zealand Historic Buildings: Chateau Tongariro

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: People in a lounge at Chateau Tongariro with Mount Ngauruhoe visible through the window - Photograph taken by Leslie Hinge

People in a lounge at Chateau Tongariro with Mount Ngauruhoe visible through the window - Photograph taken by Leslie Hinge

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tourist Hotel Corporation: The Hermitage, Mount Cook, New Zealand, luggage label

Tourist Hotel Corporation: The Hermitage, Mount Cook, New Zealand, luggage label

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Hermitage (7247/7247)

The Hermitage (7247/7247)

V.C. Browne & Son

Image: New Zealand Recreation: Hermitage, Mount Cook

New Zealand Recreation: Hermitage, Mount Cook

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook, 1970

Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook, 1970

Auckland Libraries

Image: Te Anau Hotel under construction

Te Anau Hotel under construction

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Te Anau Hotel on Lake Te Anau lakefront (PB0410/4)

Te Anau Hotel on Lake Te Anau lakefront (PB0410/4)

V.C. Browne & Son

Image: Te Anau Hotel alongside Lake Te Anau, Southland

Te Anau Hotel alongside Lake Te Anau, Southland

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Lovell-Smith, Edgar McLeod, 1875-1950: Franz Josef Glacier New Zealand / E M Lovell-Smith, 1932. Full information from the High Commissioner for New Zealand ... New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner and Government Agent ... and all travel agents Coulls Somerville Wilkie Ltd, Ch'ch, des et lith. Issued by the Publicity Branch, NZ Railways. 1932.

Lovell-Smith, Edgar McLeod, 1875-1950: Franz Josef Glacier New Zealand / E M Lovell-Smith, 1932. Full information from the High Commissioner for Ne...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tourist Hotel Corporation: Franz Josef Hotel, New Zealand [Luggage label. 1950s?]

Tourist Hotel Corporation: Franz Josef Hotel, New Zealand [Luggage label. 1950s?]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Travel in New Zealand at the Franz Josef Glacier, a gleaming jewel in the mountain side. H L Young Limited, art printers, Palmerston North, New Zealand. [1935].

Travel in New Zealand at the Franz Josef Glacier, a gleaming jewel in the mountain side. H L Young Limited, art printers, Palmerston North, New Zea...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel

Franz Josef Glacier Hotel

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand's Franz Josef Glacier - - The Franz Josef Glacier, South Westland New Zealand, a paradise all year round. H L Young Limited, Art printers, Palmerston North [ca 1935?]

New Zealand's Franz Josef Glacier - - The Franz Josef Glacier, South Westland New Zealand, a paradise all year round. H L Young Limited, Art printe...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Mitchell, Leonard Cornwall, 1901-1971 :Mitre Peak, Milford Sound, New Zealand / Government Tourist Department. G H Loney, Government Printer, Wellington. 5,000 [... 19]36.

Mitchell, Leonard Cornwall, 1901-1971 :Mitre Peak, Milford Sound, New Zealand / Government Tourist Department. G H Loney, Government Printer, Welli...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Luxury accommodation for overseas visitors

Luxury accommodation for overseas visitors

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: The Milford Hotel, Milford Sound

The Milford Hotel, Milford Sound

Auckland Libraries

Image: Overlooking the Milford Hotel and surrounding area, Milford Sound

Overlooking the Milford Hotel and surrounding area, Milford Sound

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Pukaki Hotel, with buses

Pukaki Hotel, with buses

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Scene at Pukaki Hotel, Mackenzie District, during the Gifford motor tour

Scene at Pukaki Hotel, Mackenzie District, during the Gifford motor tour

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department :New Zealand; new sights, new thrills, new friends. Produced by New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department. Printed by Clark & Matheson Ltd, under authority A.R. Shearer, Government printer, Wellington, New Zealand. H.O. 227. [ca 1973?]

New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department :New Zealand; new sights, new thrills, new friends. Produced by New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Depa...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Flax Drawing-Room, Wairakei Hotel

The Flax Drawing-Room, Wairakei Hotel

Auckland Libraries

Image: Tourist Hotel Corporation of New Zealand :Introducing New Zealand's finest holiday hosts, THC. [Pamphlet inside. ca 1965]

Tourist Hotel Corporation of New Zealand :Introducing New Zealand's finest holiday hosts, THC. [Pamphlet inside. ca 1965]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tourist Hotel Corporation: Wanaka Hotel, New Zealand [Luggage label. 1950s?]

Tourist Hotel Corporation: Wanaka Hotel, New Zealand [Luggage label. 1950s?]

Alexander Turnbull Library