Story: Gold and gold mining

Wakamarina, near the Marlborough town of Havelock, was the site of a short-lived gold rush. Miners sealed off the gorge and pumped all the water out. They then dug out many metres of gravel to reach the river bed, where they believed potholes full of gold would be found. Over more than 20 years seven companies spent in excess of £20,000 ($2.75 million in 2005) for very little return.