Karori Historical Society

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 December 2024 at St Ninian’s, Newcombe Crescent, Karori at 7.30pm. Members and friends welcome.

“There’s gold in them thar hills: the archaeology of Wellington’s gold rush and the Albion Battery”

Michael Grace and Mary O’Keeffe will tell the fascinating story of Wellington’s 19th century gold rush at Terawhiti, the archaeology of the rush, and work to conserve the Albion Battery.

Mary is a professional archaeologist. She has run her consultancy, Heritage Solutions, since 1996. Prior to this she worked for Historic Places Trust and Department of Conservation. Mary’s work has taken her all round New Zealand, to see some special places and hear some remarkable stories. In her spare time, Mary teaches childbirth education classes, she and her husband are insanely proud of their vet student daughter, and they garden with enormous enthusiasm and remarkably little skill.

Michael is a director and shareholder of Terawhiti Station which has been in his family since the 1840s. He has a passion for the Station’s history and for saving and restoring its physical gold mining heritage. Michael is also a trustee on the Capital Kiwi Trust Board which returned kiwi to Terawhiti in 2022. He is a Life Member of the Wellington Rowing Club. For a crustm Michael is a wealth advisor with Jarden Wealth.

Supper will be served after the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 10 December.