THE MINERAL DEPOSITS OF NEW ZEALAND - A Description of the Dominion's more Important Economic Minerals and Rocks

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore

Comprehensive account of New Zealand’s mineral deposits and economic rocks, prepared for the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition (Dunedin, 1925–26). Describes early European observations and the Maoris’ use of stone, jade, iron ochre, vivianite, and clay, then summarizes discoveries of gold, copper, coal, and other minerals from the mid-19th century onward. Includes export and production statistics with discussion of key metals, coal, resin, and additional mined materials.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Mineral Export and Production

97-84069-4New Zealand Mines Dept. The mineral deposits ofNew Zealand Wellington 1925 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISIONBIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED-EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD RESTRICTIONS ON USE: Roproductions may not be made wilthout permission trom Columbia University Lbraries. TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE: 35mmREDUCTION RATIO: 9:1 IB MAGE PLACEMENT:IA DATE FILMED: 130197 INITIALS: TLM TRACKING\#: 23136 FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. 女 THE MINERAL DEPOSITSOF NEW ZEALAND. SEP-31920 A Description of the Dominion'smore Important Economic Mineralsand Rocks,written for the NewZealand and South Seas Exhibition,Dunedin,1925-26. WELLINGTON.BY AUTHORITY:W.A.G.SKINNER,GOVERNMENT PRINTER, 308 Z 197 THE MINERAL DEPOSITS OF NEW ZEALAND. INTRODUCTION. EVEN before I840,when the systematic settlement of New Zealandby British colonists began,some attention to the mineral depositshad been given by European visitors.Charles Darwin,whovisited the Bay of Islands in I835,mentions that kauri-resin wasthen being sold to American whalers at rd.a pound.Before thecoming of the Europeans the Maoris had worked in a primitive wayvarious deposits of stone useful for axes and other implements.Nephrite,or pounamu,found almost wholly in Westland,was muchprized by them.They also collected iron ochre,or kokowai;vivianite,or pukepoto(blue hydrous phosphate of iron);andwhite clay for use as paints.From I840 to the present day thesearch for mineral deposits has been active,and numerous dis-coveries have been made,the most spectacular of which were thoseof gold in I86I,I864-65,and I867 in Otago,Westland,and Hauraki(Thames)respectively.In I845 copper-mining began on GreatBarrier Island,and in I846 on Kawau Island.A little coal andsome other minerals were also mined during the early years ofEuropean settlement. MINERAL EXPORT AND PRODUCTION. Only imperfect records of the mineral-production of New Zealandprior to 1857 are available,and not until I879 were full statisticsof the annual coal-production published. According to the datapublished by the Mines Departmento in its annual reports goldaccounts for more than half the mineral-production of New Zealand;coal,though for many years much undervalued,is the mineral nextin total value,kauri-resin(commonly called kauri-gum)comes third,and silver is a very poor fourth.During the past few yearsstatistics showing the production of stone used for roadmaking,ballasting,harbour-works,building,&c.,and of limestone quarriedfor agricultural use and for cement-manufacture,mortar,&c.,havebeen collected,but as yet they are imperfect.Data relating toclay-production are almost entirely wanting. 2 The following table gives approximately the total quantity and | value of minerals exported from New Ze | | | aland since I853:一 | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | Qunzity. | Val。 | | …
Gold(I857-I924) | | | 23,I76,09r | 9Y,414,828 | | ::
::
.
Silver'(1869-I924) | | | .24,632,908 | 2,904,651 | | | | | 47,808,999 | L94,3I9,479 | | 飘W | | | Tons.
I,504
5,869 | £ | | Copper-ore(1858-I9I8)…
Chrome-ore(I858-I902). | | | | I9,390
38,002 | | Antimcny-ore(1878-1918) | | | 3.781 | 55,045 | | Manganese-ore(1878-I924) | | | I9,380 | 61,994 | | Haæematite(1883-I9I4) | | | 77 | 469 | | Tungsten-ore(1899-I924)·· | | | 2,340鼎 | 301,870 | | Quicksilver(I918-I922).· | | | 168 | 8,336 | | Sulphur(18g8-1917)
Various(mixed)minerals (1878-I924)
Kauri-resin(1853-I924)·· | | | 4,927
72,306
389,052 | I3,24I
306,807
2I,Io8,085 | | Coal (1872-1924)
Coke(1872-I924) | | | 5.469,660
I7,304

FAQs

What mineral resources were used by the Maoris before European settlement?

The text describes Maoris using deposits of stone for tools, prized nephrite (pounamu) in Westland, iron ochre (kokowai), vivianite (pukepoto), and white clay for paints.

When did major mineral searches and discoveries become active in New Zealand?

From 1840 onward, the search for mineral deposits is described as active, with notable gold discoveries in 1861, 1864–65, and 1867 across Otago, Westland, and Hauraki.

How does the document rank New Zealand’s mineral production by value?

It states that gold accounts for more than half of mineral production value; coal is next in total value, kauri-resin (kauri-gum) comes third, and silver is described as a very poor fourth.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore