Gumdiggers Park, Awanui, Aupōuri Peninsula, Far North District, Northland Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Gumdiggers Park	- not defined -
Awanui	- not defined -
Aupōuri Peninsula	Peninsula
Far North District	District
Northland Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

The area is part of the former "Aupouri Gumfields".

Kauri gum (Agathis australis) a form of Copal.

Kauri gum is not a mineral, but rather fossilised tree gum. However it does share some superficial similarities. It is often made into jewellery, with a soft golden glow. Touching the material soon shows the difference with amber light and warm, as opposed to a gemstone that would be harder and colder to the touch. It was mined much the same way as alluvial gold or gemstones, being dug through shallow pits in various swamps across Northland, seeking the amber exuded from the Kauri tree. Some people who collect gemstones/mineral specimens also collect amber.

Gum digging was most prevalent by individual prospectors in the late 19th Century, where the material was made into floor varnish. Mining gradually waned until the last gum was extracted in the 1950's in the Awanui area. At the time the area was known as the Kaikino Swamp, part of the Aupouri Gumfields, the largest in the country.

Gumdiggers Park is a tourist venture preserving a small part of the historic diggings. It includes examples of gumdiggers shelters, equipment, a gecko house, fossillised kauri log, and shop selling Kauri gum. A main comment online is the attraction is worthwhile if you have an interest in the subject. Major local displays can be seen elsewhere in Northland at the Dargaville and Matakohe museums.

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