Albion Gold Mining Company battery and mine remains.
Credit: Vivienne Morrellexpand/collapse
The tour will be led by Michael Grace, a director of the neighbouring Te Kamaru Station and archaeology consultant, Dr Bruce McFadgen, both of whom have a vast knowledge of Terawhiti Station and its former goldfields sites.
In the late 19th century, gold prospecting was a major activity on Terawhiti Station, to the west of Wellington city. Terawhiti Station directors are working with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga on conservation options for the former Albion Battery site, a Category 2 heritage listed place, and are preparing for an interim archaeological assessment to better define the boundaries of the site for future conservation work.
A Goldfields Charitable Trust is established to help funding for conservation of the historic goldfield sites.
Terawhiti Station is a magnificent place to visit, a rugged landscape with lots of stories to tell, and views out across the Tasman Sea and Cook Strait. Wind turbines were introduced to the Station by Meridian, with 62 turbines operating by 2009, to provide wind power to the southwest of Wellington.
Michael and Bruce can take a limited number of people around Terawhiti Station, 24- 25 max, travelling by 4WD privately-owned vehicles.
The tour will start at 10am outside the entrance to Terawhiti Station on South Makara Road, just up from the Karori Gold Club.
Booking is essential. Please contact David Watt, Senior Outreach Advisor, Regional Services Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga by 24 September, on dwatt@heritage.org.nz, or mobile 027 2466 339. The tour will finish around 3pm. Please provide a mobile number for contact.
Bring lunch, drinks, warm clothing, a hat and good footwear, sturdy shoes, or boots.
Donations welcome to the Terawhiti Goldfields Trust.
- David Watt
