This is the Email drafted and sent out to NZPAM MBIE just one day ago,regarding a proposal for fossicking areas up here in the North Island,not expecting a reply straight away,but will post there reply when and if I receive one .
“QUOTE” Have you heard the one about the squeaky wheel.“UNQUOTE”.
Tom
To whom it may concern,
This email is regarding the gold fossicking locations set aside by the Department of Conservation freely available to the public in NZ.
As you know all fossicking locations in NZ are currently located in various areas of the South Island. Unfortunately access to these locations by the majority of the public living in the North Island is just unrealistic,due to the large costs and distance involved in travel.
I am writing to propose an introduction of fossicking locations to areas of the North Island ,accessible to the public ,for the public.
The areas that Im proposing to be looked in to are in the Coromandel and Mamaku/Kaimai ranges. There is a long history of mining in all these areas,they are all on DOC land and no claims of any sort involved,easily accessed by the public, used daily by the public,and used for outdoor activities by individuals,groups and clubs.
Proposed areas put forward for consideration.
TARARU stream, Thames, Coromandel.
WAIORONGOMAI stream, Te Aroha, Kaimai/Mamaku.
KAUAERANGA Valley stream,Thames,Coromandel
The rules around a new area would be the same as the others, only panning and sluice boxing, stream beds only with, no motorized methods allowed to help conserve the waterways.
May I also propose for the longevity and future fossicking of these proposed areas, that metal detectors be banned from these areas for obvious reasons, I my self am a amateur detectorist and others I’m sure would be very supportive of this notion
Introducing more activities like this in areas to what is already available will give more New Zealanders access to the wonderful backyard of our country while still setting boundaries on how we do so, as well as reducing the unlawful mining of gold by some. These areas are not to make money from but rather, to enjoy and explore as many do hunting, fishing and tramping on DOC land.
I would be more than happy to discuss or offer any help regarding this proposal with you at your convenience.
Kind regards
Thomas Gillespie-Daniel
MBL 0278141637
Rock and Mineral collector
Paydirt community member