Thames Goldmine Experience, Thames 3500, Waikato, New Zealand
Thames township, or “The Thames” as it was often referred to is located on the southern shores of the Hauraki Gulf. European traders and missionaries began to settle in the area 130 years ago. Marutuahu survivors of the early 1800s inter tribal warfare, returned to live peacefully in the area also.
“Ngati Maru chief Hoterene Taipari expressed the Maori attitude when he said in a speech at Parawai that the Marutuahu were tired of war; they wanted all tribes and all races to live in peace together, as one family. If the pakeha met with opposition when seeking timber or mining rights it was only over details: the over-ruling Maori spirit was one of co-operation”.
The first major discovery of gold was made on August 10, 1867 by a prospector, William Hunt, in a waterfall in the bed of the Kuranui Stream. This mine produced over 102,353oz bullion and was known as the Shotover.
The era from 1868 to 1871 were the bonanza years for the town with gold production topping one million pounds sterling at its peak. Official figures for production of the Thames Mines recorded a yield of 2,327,619oz bullion with the value at $845 million.
Epic New Zealand Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound