Explore Sites of Significance

Waiuta – Tohu Whenua

Established in 1906 as a company town to exploit a major gold discovery, Waiuta thrived until 1951. Today, remnants of mining relics and a handful of buildings, like the police station and cottages, remain.

Rūnanga Miners’ Hall & Trust

The trials and successes of the local miners and their families are intertwined with the history of Runanga Miners Hall, which spans over a hundred years.

Jacks Mill School Historic Area

The Jacks Mill Historic Area is a four-acre site in Kotuku, It centres on the former Jacks Mill School and a collection of features created largely by the school’s own pupils.

Brunner Mine Site – Tohu Whenua

Once a hive of activity, fueling the nation’s growth with its high-quality coal, the site now stands as a haunting reminder of the devastating mining disaster that claimed 65 lives in 1896.

Reefton Railway Station

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.

Brunner Mine Disaster Grave

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. 

Denniston – Tohu Whenua

Denniston, a once-booming coal mining town, now stands as a haunting and inspiring reminder of the past, offering a unique blend of history, adventure, and natural beauty. Known by many for its “Eighth Wonder of the World” the Denniston Incline.

Reefton Powerhouse Charitable Trust

Commissioned in 1888, Reefton’s historic hydroelectric power scheme was the first public electricity supply in New Zealand. This pioneering project made Reefton the southern hemisphere’s first town with street lighting.