May 2018 Project Martha – Historical & Archaeological Background 76 • the preparation of a management plan for the entire area, ‘to ensure appropriate care and protection of historic remains, proper vegetation management, and the implementation of a regular maintenance programme’ (1.1); and • the establishment of a management group ‘to oversee the implementation of both the conservation plan and management plan. This should consist of representatives from at least the main stakeholders (Newmont, LINZ, DOC, HPT [now Heritage NZ], Waihi Walkways. An archaeological assessment of the proposed works at the Trio Vent shaft on Union Hill was undertaken by Clough & Associates (Clough & Macready 2011). An Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) was prepared for proposed upgrades to walkways and interpretation, and for other works in 2012 (Waihi Gold 2012a, 2012b). An archaeological authority was approved under Section 18 of the Historic Places Act 1993 (reference 2012/542) to undertake defined works within the Union Hill Historic Area (T13/822) (Gallagher 2017). The aim was 1) To understand the condition of the mining remains remaining in the Union Hill Historic Area and 2) To better manage the Historic Area in the future (ibid). Not all of the works under this authority have been carried out. To date this has consisted of one trench excavated in 2013, which exposed the concrete Vat House floor, found to be in fair to moderate condition (ibid). There has been monitoring of the partial formation of the walkway loop and erection of bollards at the entrances of Barry Road and Clarke Road (Figure 59). In 2016 a detailed heritage landscape management plan was prepared by Clough & Associates (Macready & Clough 2016). This management plan identified five recorded archaeological sites within the Union Hill area, which are shown in Figure 58. It was noted in the Clough & Associates report that the extent of most sites is not clearly defined, and there is a good deal of overlap between recorded sites in terms of which features they include. Furthermore, Macready & Clough (2016) highlighted that the full extent of the archaeological remains surviving on Union Hill is not known. The Waihi Battery area was bulldozed and flooded with 1m or more of tailings during the 1970s–1980s, and additional unrecorded elements are likely to be concealed beneath vegetation growth, tailings, spoil and soil build up (ibid.). However, the main surviving structures are clearly evident, and areas of structures and mining activity are recorded in various archival plans, photographs and survey plans (Figure 60 - Figure 62; Moore, Lens & Ordish 2010; Clough, Best & Hooker 2004). The heritage management guidelines and procedures set out in the plan relate to: • the planning and undertaking of any new works related to mining; • the potential effects of the Trio underground mining operation; • maintenance and conservation of the heritage remains; • visitor use and amenities; and, • research. None of the proposed conservation work to the structures (set out in the plan) have been done, although during recent site visits by the authors it was evident that some of the paths have been upgraded (as presented in the Gallagher 2017 report). Most recently there has also been some small scale weed/ vegetation clearance by Waihi Vision Trust, for example around the Cyanide Tanks. There are plans currently underway through the Union Hill walkway project including the provision of signage.
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