Story: Coal and coal mining

Dancing at Rotowaro hall

Dancing at Rotowaro hall

Like many mining communities, Rotowaro in Waikato had a strong community spirit. Country-music dances were held at the local hall. At this ‘Patsy Riggir Special’, the music was provided by guitar, saxophone, piano, and hobnail boots. When the town was moved to allow for opencast mining, the Glen Afton Country Music Club re-established itself in Huntly.

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Waikato Museum - Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
Photograph by David Cook

Permission of Waikato Museum – Te Whare Taonga o Waikato must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Alan Sherwood and Jock Phillips, 'Coal and coal mining - Mining community', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/7459/dancing-at-rotowaro-hall (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Alan Sherwood and Jock Phillips, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 14 Apr 2021