A driving force in the construction of the Glenorchy-Queenstown road has produced a DVD to chronicle the vital link for posterity.
The Rev Ivan Smith (73), now of Nightcaps, Southland, but formerly of Glenorchy, gives his first-hand account of the remarkable civil engineering project in an interview conducted by his wife journalist Pat Veltkamp-Smith earlier this year.
The recorded conversation and material from archives forms Echoes from Glenorchy, Making the Road to Queenstown 1956-1963.
The story of how an isolated community with limited resources and finances carved the road through rock and bush to reach the outside world ''is such a major feature of the history of Glenorchy and unless it's documented it will be forgotten'', Mr Smith said.
Glenorchy residents talked about a road to Queenstown as early as 1944, but there was no government money available until the mid-1950s.
A road pass was surveyed and tenders called to start what became the 44km scenic lakeside road from the township to the resort.
Mr Smith is the last man alive of the handful of contractors involved in building the road.
From the age of 18 to 22 and using his Caterpillar D6 bulldozer, Mr Smith forged 20km of the road and was involved in the project until its completion.
''When I drive over it, I know every inch of it and I can still remember the machine pulsing under me and all the issues I had to contend with.''
•People interested in buying Echoes from Glenorchy can email Mr Smith on pativan@xtra.co.nz.
