Industrial Archaeology in New Zealand

Abstract

Notwithstanding its isolation and very small population New Zealand has a remarkably interesting legacy of industrial archaeology. Early industries were stimulated by a rugged colonial self-reliance and in spite of the temporary nature of many structures there is a reasonable measure of visual evidence remaining. Fanning and gold-mining generated other industries, in particular the manufacture of agricultural equipment and mining machinery. In addition to shipbuilding, refrigeration of meat and dairy produce, timber milling, flaxmilling and coalmining there were many service industries leaving industrial monuments and relics. Unlike Britain there is only a very small number of people committed to the study, recording and preservation of industrial archaeology.