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.

The Last Great Gold Discovery

“Birthday Reef” was discovered by prospectors on November 9th, 1905, the date of King Edward VII’s birthday. Setting in motion what would grow to be the Waiuta settlement. Waiuta became not just a mining town; but a close-knit, isolated community of over 600 residents at its peak. Diverse backgrounds intermingled, creating a self-sufficient town with facilities and social events that rivaled larger centers. Even today, descendants and former residents maintain a strong sense of community and identity.

Mining presented significant challenges, with the gold-bearing reef narrowing and plunging deeper into the earth. However, the community met these challenges with ingenuity and tenacity, constructing New Zealand’s deepest shaft, reaching nearly 900 meters.

The collapse of the Blackwater Shaft in 1951, blocking the ventilation system, triggered the mine’s abrupt closure. The town felt the immediate impact as residents left to seek new opportunities. Most buildings were dismantled, and machinery was sold, scrapped, or abandoned.

Today, the Department of Conservation and the Friends of Waiuta proudly care for Waiuta, ensuring its legacy endures. Explore the town by foot or mountain bike, retracing the town’s streets, mine sites, and battery locations. Visit the “Olympic” pool, imagine life around the Blackwater Mine, or climb Prohibition Hill for panoramic views and a glimpse at the site of the deepest mineshaft in New Zealand’s history.

Waiuta offers a unique blend of nature, history, and adventure for all who make the journey.

Address

Contact details