In association with Oceana Gold

Gold rushes were often in the news during the early years of the Otago settlement.  First in California in 1849, then in Victoria just across the Tasman in 1852. Next, gold was found in Nelson province in 1857 and New Zealand’s first homegrown gold rush began. 

But it was Otago’s great gold strikes at Tuapeka, the Dunstan, and the Lakes district between 1861-1863 that really transformed the country’s prospects and leave Otago with a golden heritage that Toitū Otago Settlers Museum curator Seán Brosnahan will explore.

Fast forward through the years and since 1990, OceanaGold has produced over five million ounces of gold from a hard-rock, low-grade gold deposit at Macraes in East Otago, an area with a rich gold mining history.

A true New Zealand success story, Macraes’ gold has been manufactured into a range of products including electronics, wealth and financial exchange, jewellery and medals, and is even used in space exploration, medicine, and dentistry.

Macraes is also one of the leading contributors to Otago’s economy through employment, procurement, community investment and donations - with over 600 people currently employed between the Macraes Mine and Dunedin Office.

In this talk Hamish Blakemore, Manager - Geology and Exploration at OceanaGold, Macraes Operation covers how Macraes Mine has continued to explore and produce gold for decades in a geologically fascinating environment. 

An offering in association with OceanaGold and in support of Wild Dunedin – New Zealand Festival of Nature.

When: 5.30pm, Monday 14 April
Where: Toitū Auditorium
Cost: Free

Hosted by Toitū Otago Settlers Museum: Museum of social history dedicated to telling the story of the people of Dunedin and the surrounding area. Fourteen themed galleries feature interactive displays and powerful narratives tracing the human history of the area, from the earliest settlers to the most recent arrivals.