64 Oct 2021 OceanaGold WNP Project, Waihi - Archaeological / Heritage Assessment Value Historic Heritage Assessment not a Heritage NZ listed archaeological site, but has been recorded as an archaeological site. Cultural Qualities Given the long mining legacy and celebration of mining history within Waihi today it is possible that the community does have some association with the site. Given that this aspect of mining is not publicly accessible or visible, this limits the value of the site in terms of being a physical marker/ source of identity. T13/963 High-Level Walmsley Timber Tramway was constructed in the early 20th century and does not meet the definition of an archaeological site (pre-1900) so is assessed under the Waikato RPS criteria only. Overall, site T13/963 is considered to have limited historic heritage value based on the criteria discussed. The tramway has been modified so retains only its original alignment visible as a benched track incorporated into a farm track. No structural remains such as rails or sleepers are present today. Table 7. Assessment of the historic heritage values of T13/963 High-Level Walmsley Timber Tramway based on the RPS criteria (Section 10A) Value Historic Heritage Assessment Historic Qualities This site is associated with the wider historical events, people and mining companies that form the rich history of colonial gold mining and timber milling in Waihi. Built in the early 20th century, it was constructed by the Waihi Gold Company for the Martha Mine to extract timber from the Walmsley and Mataura Valleys. It reflects representative aspects of local history, and is associated with an earlier period of European industry and exploitation within the western Bay of Plenty and New Zealand. Architectural Qualities There are no surviving architectural qualities. Technological/ Scientific Qualities Technologically the tramway has value because it retains its original alignment, although it is modified by farm tracks in places and is no longer a working engineering structure. It connected with another tramway on reservoir Road by an incline. With a series of off shoots it was 6.745km long. Timber tramways are common locally. Archaeological Qualities The tramway has little information potential to expand upon our knowledge through archaeological methods of early timber milling or Waihi history in addition to what is already known because it retains little original fabric. It does not meet the definition of an archaeological site dating from the early 20th century (not pre-1900) but has been recorded in the NZAA site file for information purposes. It is a representative example of a site type, feature or activity. It is not a Heritage NZ listed site. Cultural Qualities Given the long mining legacy and celebration of mining history and its associated industries within Waihi today it is possible that the community does have some association with the site. The site is not
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