Maoriland Mine (Young New Zealand; Welcome; Welcome Extended), Waitekauri, Hauraki District, Waikato Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Maoriland Mine (Young New Zealand; Welcome; Welcome Extended)	Mine
Waitekauri	- not defined -
Hauraki District	District
Waikato Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

Historic gold mine.

Located in a heavily forested deep gorge in a tributary of the upper Mangakara Stream. The mine is named after the Maoriland Gold Mining Company.

The company held also the adjoining Young New Zealand, Welcome and Welcome Extended leases. All these claims had originally been taken over by the Young New Zealand Company in 1889. During its early prospector days, the Young New Zealand had produced 292 tonnes of ore for 312 ounces of gold; Welcome 1090 tonnes of ore for 1523 ounces of gold; and Welcome Extended 65 tonnes of ore for 156 ounces of gold. The Young New Zealand Company abandoned the claims in 1894, having found little in the way of gold.

The claims were taken over by a syndicate of Waihi residents led by J.M. Haslett, then from 1905 it operated under the Maoriland Gold Mining Company. Much work was conducted on level 4, with a shaft sunk to 65 feet, however water flooded the workings. A 9 stamp battery had been erected with government assistance, connected to the mine by a ground and aerial tramway. The mine closed around 1914, and was sold to George Waite.

Intermittent exploration took place until 1925 when Maoriland Consolidated began extending drives. This company had been formed by F. Hollis. This operation ceased in 1929. Beyond the early claim figures, the mine in this later period produced 6114 tonnes of ore for 5396 ounces of gold.

Ted Roberts took over the mine in 1930, and being a mechanic by trade was able to get the battery working, and operated the mine as a one man show until 1945. At this point most of the buildings covering the machinery was moved to the old Talisman battery site at Karangahake.

In 1972, geologist Stuart Rabone rediscovered the mine site. Despite getting directions and sketch maps from Rabone it took the Tauranga Rock and Mineral Club several weeks to locate it in 1974, indicating how difficult this area is to pinpoint mine locations. In fact they were standing in the middle of the overgrown battery relics, before realising it after a time. Once the undergrowth was cleared, the battery was deemed to still be in good condition, and it was decided to remove the battery stamps to the Tauranga Historical Village. Remarkably Ted Roberts still owned the lease, and the battery stamps were purchased from him.

The removal of the battery stamps took much effort considering the rugged nature of the countryside. Relatively minor relics may remain. The club has a mineral display in the village.

It is noted the Tauranga Council still owned the old battery stamps in 2004, however in 2005 after raising $15 000 dollars, and much work, the Thames Lions Club erected them as the Thames town entry statement. The Lions Club states the battery 'is on permanent loan from the prospectors association'. The appropriateness of its present reincarnation as an essentially advertising hoarding for the town is open to debate.

The Mindat co-ordinates are approximate.

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