District Westland
The arrival of the New Zealand Midland Railway Company in 1892 marked a significant moment for the Inangahua district, ending Reefton’s geographic isolation and supporting an industrial boom.
Shantytown Heritage Park’s creation wasn’t a stroke of magic. It was born from the passion and dedication of a group of local heroes coming together under one man’s vision!
Blacks Point Museum holds an extensive and eclectic collection of artifacts and records outlining the people and industries of the area. Their operational quartz stamper battery is a must-see experience.
On March 26, 1896, a fatal explosion at the Brunner coal mine left a permanent scar on New Zealand’s industrial history. Many of the recovered bodies were laid to rest in a mass grave at the nearby Stillwater Cemetery.
