Illegal Denniston fossicker fined

Date: 01 October 2025

The artifacts included metal wheels, axles and chain associated with the mine.

The area is a popular tourist attraction in the Buller and showcases the old mine site, including the well-known Denniston Incline.

Many of the weathered artifacts remain at site and hint at the living and working conditions from the 1880s, when coal was first sent down the Denniston Incline, to 1967, when the mine closed.

Unfortunately, over time many of these items have been stolen prompting the Department of Conservation to increase its efforts to prevent further thefts by increasing surveillance at the site.

Those efforts have led to the identification of and enforcement action against the man through an infringement notice.

The decision to issue an infringement notice, rather than a harsher penalty, reflects the fact the attempt to remove the items from site was not completed, and the artifacts were left on site.

Suvi Van Smit, Operations Manager for the Buller District says Denniston is classified as a category one Historic Place.

"The site attracts visitors to the Buller and holds a significant piece of New Zealand's mining history," she says. "The Denniston Incline is considered a work of engineering genius and the artifacts at the site help tell the story of what took place there.

"I encourage all people to leave places like these as they find them and avoid any potentially embarrassing and costly interactions with our compliance team or the Police. Denniston is a fantastic place to get out naturing, so please treat it with the respect it deserves."

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