The Ghost Town: Waiuta
By: Mary Duran
Waiuta is a designated ghost town that was once a place where men sacrificed their lives while gold mining. Waiuta is located specifically near Ikamatua, up the Snowy River , South of Reefton, West Coast of the South Island. Waiuta is famously known for the gold mining industry which was founded in 1905 till 1951
Waiuta’s History:
The first mine shaft called Blackwater Shaft was first operated in 1908 and was 563m in depth.
The mine was then extended in 1926, the first mineshaft named Blackwater North claim was
renamed Prohibition. The Prohibition Shaft took over later on in 1938 and incredibly reached
879m in depth. The mine eventually produced almost 21,262,142 grams of gold.
Over the time more workers began to settle in the area.
The mine was then extended in 1926, the first mineshaft named Blackwater North claim was
renamed Prohibition. The Prohibition Shaft took over later on in 1938 and incredibly reached
879m in depth. The mine eventually produced almost 21,262,142 grams of gold.
Over the time more workers began to settle in the area.
What Waiuta is Today:
Today Waiuta is a historic ghost town for tourists to come upon and learn about what Waiuta once was. There is still surprisingly a few buildings left that include the former police station, three cottages and an old barber shop. There is a lodge for anyone to stay for as long as they want. Waiuta is also one of NZ’s most popular ghost towns, because of its successful gold mine.
Waiuta, a gold mining town since 1905, but is now an abandoned ghost town and a great tourist attraction with only a few of the original buildings.
