Story: Gold and gold mining

Wakamarina Gorge, 1890

Wakamarina Gorge, 1890

Wakamarina, near the Marlborough town of Havelock, was the site of a short-lived gold rush. Miners sealed off the gorge and pumped all the water out. They then dug out many metres of gravel to reach the river bed, where they believed potholes full of gold would be found. Over more than 20 years seven companies spent in excess of £20,000 ($2.75 million in 2005) for very little return.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Mrs Dyson Collection (PAColl-2077)
Reference: PAColl-2077-1-01
Photograph by William Henry Macey

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Gold and gold mining - Other goldfields', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8714/wakamarina-gorge-1890 (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 12 Jun 2006