What started as a routine walk on private farmland near Lawrence has turned into what some are calling the biggest gold discovery in New Zealand in over a century — with an estimated value of over $4 billion NZD.
But while the discovery has made headlines in underground prospector circles, the man who found it says his excitement didn’t last long.
Because just days after the initial tests confirmed the scale of the deposit, government officials stepped in and froze all activity — leaving the landowner shocked, and the community divided.
A quiet walk, a glint in the soil
George Taylor, a 49-year-old sheep and beef farmer from Otago, says he wasn’t even looking for gold when it happened.
“I was checking fence lines after a storm,” he recalls.
“Near one of the gullies, I noticed this strange shimmer in the dirt — tiny flakes catching the light. It looked too bright to be dust.”
He took a handful home. A neighbour with a background in geology ran a quick pan test. What they saw left them stunned: alluvial gold — and a lot of it.
Within a week, independent consultants were on-site. Deeper samples confirmed the unbelievable: a high-concentration gold deposit, possibly extending over several hectares.
Billions in the ground — but it’s off limits
Estimates suggest the total gold in the deposit could exceed 150 tonnes, putting its value somewhere north of $4 billion NZD, depending on purity and extraction method.
But George didn’t even get the chance to celebrate.
“DOC and Crown Minerals were here within days,” he says.
“They told me I couldn’t touch the land — not without permits, geological impact reports, and cultural assessments. They basically shut it all down.”
Why? Because under New Zealand law, all minerals beneath the surface belong to the Crown, not the landowner — even if it’s private property.
And while permits can technically be granted, the process is slow, heavily regulated, and often contested — especially if iwi, conservation land, or waterways are involved.
A divided community
The small farming community near Lawrence is now split. Some believe this could be the discovery that brings jobs, infrastructure and investment back to a struggling rural area.
Others are more cautious — especially environmental groups, who worry about waterway contamination, erosion, and long-term ecological damage.
“Gold might be in the ground,” says one local conservationist, “but so are native species. And you can’t mine one without damaging the other.”
Meanwhile, rumours are swirling about foreign companies already circling, eager to get exploration rights if the site opens up.
George’s new reality
Since news of the deposit leaked, George says his quiet life has been turned upside down.
“I’ve had people turning up at the gate. Journalists. Investors. A few strangers with metal detectors.”
He’s now hired legal support and filed for a preliminary claim, hoping to secure some kind of stake in what was found on his own land.
But he’s realistic.
“I know I’ll probably never see a cent from the gold itself,” he says.
“But maybe it’ll mean something for the area — if it’s handled right.”
What happens now?
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has confirmed the site is under review, but says no decisions will be made until full assessments are complete.
DOC has added the location to its restricted activity list. Local iwi have been notified, though no formal position has been made public.
So for now, the gold remains — untouched, unearthed, and trapped beneath layers of law, land rights, and bureaucracy.
And as George puts it: “It might be the richest bit of land I’ve ever stood on. But right now, it’s just grass — and headaches.”
Govt again ripping off kiwis Who own their own land. The guy should be able to do what he wants with it. After all he owns it??
I agree the land is his own not the governments to touch finders are keepers i says let the public search for gold in a small area.
He owns the land, therefore he owns the gold. Watch out certain others who will demand they are the rightful owners.
Especially the Crown
Surely, he could have simply just prepared an application to mine. Like people do on every other claim. This I think sounds bit odd.
Hi Mark…Just read your amazing story re the possibility of gold on your farm. I think you should be entitled to do whatever you want with it after all you paid for it. The greedy Crown just wants a piece of YOUR possible wealth providing you find this amazing mineral. I wish you the very best of luck and hope you get your application approved. I dont understand why your property should be anything to do with the Crown…it was paid for by you.Their claim about any minerals in the ground belong to the Crown should be investigated by a lawyer if possible. GOOD LUCK MARK
… And if you should get flooded out of your home and a earthquakes rips through the government to immediately be on the spot assessing and plan on place immediately…. Where is the government then?? You have to dig yourself out. These aforementioned acts of God are not glamorous enough as the shiny gold, to be rushing down to Lawrence , staking their claim and reading the law. However it is your land likely in your family for generations. Don’t let them touch your farm. If they could not get bodies out of Pike river……. Stand your ground literally.
100% agree..Shane Jones will sort it.
Heck no Jones is a goft guy now and as uncaring and not helping any constituents. He will happily help the govt steal this claim and it will be interesting to see how many politicians start buying mining shares.
Fck off shane Jones in it for himself mate he’s selling his own country out to Aussie he’s morally bankrupt man !
This is why you never tell anyone about such a gold find. Just mine the gold yourself and cash it in.
Agree 100%, but Its his own fault for telling anyone outside his close trusted friends anyway, why wouldn’t you think the govt would come in and put a stop to it, how are people this dum. Let this be a lesson to all who come across gold on your own private land, Excavate it yourself and enjoy whats rightfully yours.
N.Z. British Colony bureaucratic nightmare. Hangover from what happens in the U.K.
In the U.S. it is the reverse, private ownership private power in the case of property claims.
Every Tom Dick and Harry, Mary, Jane & Louise wants to invade private property because of disregard to personal ownership.
Property owners get into legal strife protecting their land from trespassers.
Precious metal finds in N.Z. should be kept closed lipped.
When will people learn to shut there mouth and say nothing, the guy should have just got a small setup and mined the gold in his spare time or weekends and said nothing lol. But now everybody knows it will be a nightmare and the government will take control. Theres an old saying loose lips sink ships. I remember my father had a friend who use to gold prospect he collected the gold made a small smelter and use to make tiny gold bars he use to sell the gold bars to a gold dealer but only when he needed money. When he retired and stopped gold mining he just sold all the bars and moved overseas.
Yeah I agree.
If something like that happened for me I would t tell anyone I don’t know well and I would just slowly start selling it
Cash is king. Unless someone puts your pot on. It’s like Gangs and drug profits not hard to notice. With more vehicles they could earn. Dumb and dumber there are places to spread the love.
too dam right. ..
the government are criminals along with their associates/the councilors and the regional council!!!!! 👎🏼
Like a lotto win. Keep it to your immediate family, or just yourself.
Yep, loose lips, sunk ships!
Good very old school right there, we could all be reminded of that at times, love that attitude.
You can’t, need gold permits and mining rights. It’s been like that for a long time, land owners own the land not what’s underneath, that where mining permits come in. It has been like that for a very long time. Looks to me like old mate should have done his research because now everyone knows someone else could get the mining rights and then he has nothing. It’s the same system in Aussie as well. Can get nasty
Its his land, if he bought it legally. Surely he has some say in price negotiations and how his land is to be used.
Did the conservation dept, environmentalists, or iwi contribute to his land purchase? If the answer is no. They should have no say.
Be fair and respectful to the owner.
Just put your plan together and write to Shane Jones outlining your position. Then talk to Santana and bring a joint venture together and stick with it.
Wait, why are we letting a $4 billion gold deposit just sit there? Government’s playing hero or just scared of a little dirt?
Maybe it’s not about gold, but the environmental mess they’re too scared to handle.
Hopefully the lord steps in and washes it away
Wait, why are we letting the government decide when there’s $4 billion just chilling underground? Feels like a massive missed chance!
I’m afraid he will get nothing but ripped off. The government will give the rights to mine to some rich overseas outfit. NZ will not see the gold, all NZ will see is a very small amount in tax and a very large bill for environmental destruction. The farmer will be lucky to get a decent price for his land!
There is actually a process, and from a commercial point of view, you don’t appear to know what you are talking about Colin.
Actually Colin is right that is what they will do
Hi Colin, Yes I agree. The crown is a colonialist entity and will do what you just said. This could be a great economic boost for Otago if its handled correctly by our Government. And the farmer should have benefits. But I’m not holding my breath.
Iwi already lining up after being notified, god knows why.
Yes govt corruption is nothing new to the nats. We had the Key English and McCully show buying sheep farms in the desert and trying to restart the live sheep nightmare.
FFS
Wait, why are we letting billions just sit there? Government’s just scared of a little digging or what? Feels like pure overreach!
Wait, why is the government blocking billions in gold? Feels like they’re just hoarding wealth while locals miss out. Sketchy much?
The Crown stealing mineral rights from private landowners explains perfectly why New Zealand is terribly underdeveloped. Nobody wants to invest in exploring their own land because they’ll not only not gain much from it, they’ll lose full control over their land.
Wait, why is the government stopping a $4 billion gold find? Sounds like pure greed or some hidden agenda, right? Smells fishy!
Maybe it’s not greed, but control—governments hate losing power, not just money. Think deeper.
Wait, why is the government blocking $4 billion in gold? Are they seriously prioritizing “community division” over national wealth? Makes no sense!
Wait, why is the government blocking a $4 billion gold find? Feels like they’re just protecting big corporate interests, not the community.
Wait, why is the government playing gold police here? Isn’t $4 billion worth more than some “quiet walk” vibes? Smells fishy!
Wait, so we’re just gonna ignore $4 billion in gold because of some “community division”? Sounds like fear trumps progress again. Smh.
Wait, so we’re just gonna let billions of gold sit underground because of some “divided community”? Sounds like a missed opportunity, honestly.
Wait, why is the government playing hero by shutting down billions in gold? Feels like theyre just scared of honest profits!
Scared of honest profits? More like scared of losing control. Governments hate anything they cant tax.
Wait, why is the government playing gold police? If it’s there, let people benefit! Hidden treasure or just greed? Weird vibes.
Wait, why is the government blocking billions in gold? Feels like they’re hiding something bigger, not just protecting a divided community.
Wait, so we just let $4 billion sit there because of politics? Isn’t that pure madness? Who’s really benefiting here?
Hi ya can I ask what govt shut this down
National as usual
Wait, why are we just letting billions of gold sit there? Government’s overprotective much? Feels like missed opportunity or hidden agendas!
Wait, so we’re just gonna let billions sit buried because of some “divided community”? Isn’t progress supposed to be messy but worth it?
Progress isn’t just messy—it’s reckless if it ignores the real consequences of rushing in blindly.
Doc and Iwi there that’s a real joke
Yeah
He should have shut up about it and mined it himself.a little at a time.
Could have set up a small sluicing operation and nobody would have been the wiser.
Wait, are we seriously letting billions just rot underground because of some “community divide”? Sounds like the government’s just scared of a little hustle.
Exactly! It’s not about division, it’s about control—keeping power, not resources, underground.
Wait, are we seriously letting $4 billion just sit there? Government’s playing hero or just scared of a little dirt? Smells fishy.
Wait, why is the government killing a $4 billion gold bonanza? Feels like someones protecting hidden agendas, not the community. Weird vibes.
Exactly, it reeks of corruption. When billions are involved, community usually takes a backseat.
I feel this is his land and they should have no right to dig on his land. What he finds on his land is his not the government that is a load of rubbish. The government wants a piece of everything, even on land owner property which is so sad.
He sounds like a really good sort, unfortunately those are the people who get taken advantage of this day and age. I agree with many other commentary that if it is privately held land then the government needs to keep there hands off!
Yes ecological conversations need to be had but it sounds like the government is overstepping and people are getting greedy. Unsurprisingly.
No land is privately owned, it is rented for a period. But there is no reason that land cannot be mined safety, you just get less profit, as some goes to pre-mining protection and post mining rehabilitation. Problem is in the capitalist world profit is king, and only Government regulation controls the greed.
Wait, why is the government blocking billion-dollar gold? Feels like they’re hiding something bigger—corruption or just bad policy? Smells fishy!
Wait, are we seriously letting $4 billion just sit there because of some “community divide”? Feels like pure government overreach, honestly.
Exactly. It’s not just divide—it’s political games blocking progress while billions go to waste.
Wait, why is the government blocking gold worth billions? Feels like theyre just scared of people getting rich, not protecting anyone!
Put out a trespass notice to the government officials. It is not their land. Seek proper legal advice on that. They want itfor themselves. That is their law to take take take.
Why have maori got their sticky fingers in everything??? They are NOT the original inhabitants of these islands (they slaughtered the original inhabitants) and as their ancestors arrived here in a boat they are NOT Indigenous either!!!
Ffs, Your comment is so far off and has no bearing on the article🤔
Actually it has a lot to do with it. The top two inches of land are the farmers. Anything under that apparently belongs to the government and maori. In the south island of New Zealand, maori can mine for green stone as deep as they like but non-maori aren’t allowed to even pick it up for fear of maori or govt backlash. Remember the brothers who decided to take greenstone home by helicopter . Jail time . All greenstone belongs to…..guess who
If it the top 2 inches only the farmers can’t put post holes in land ,or harvest root vegetables, or do anything on land without being hit by some batch of idiots wanting their share..
Maori only have rights to green stone which can be imported from overseas at a very cheaper price because it is only sold to carvers in nz at a premium price …
Overseas prices are c
Far cheaper just like butter cheese and meat leaving us with inferior products…
The only thing that should happen is a permit of claim
The negotiations on the sight to make sure that the site is returned to its original condition after mining any profits are the owners of the permit issued to land owner the company that may be negotiated with the permit holder gives him his shear of profit bur must pay a bond to the land owner to put the land back to its original pasture..
The govt can collect the tax’s from everyone involved…..paye gst and co tax …
Wait, why is the government playing treasure hunter’s villain here? Shouldn’t billions in gold be a win for everyone?
Because when the government’s involved, “everyone” usually means their pockets, not ours.
Wait, why are we letting a $4 billion gold deposit just sit there? Isn’t the government supposed to work for the people, not block them?
Because short-term greed blinds them, ignoring long-term environmental and social destruction. Wake up!
Governments are happy to let Lawrence be planted in poxy worthless Pinetrees, which have far more of negative effect on local employment and environment than a mine does.
Wait, why is the government playing treasure hunter’s gatekeeper? Isn’t $4 billion worth shaking up some old rules?
Older&wiser.Too late for that farmer.Ah ha…other spotters of gold on their own land now know to zip their lip.
Wait, are we seriously letting billions just sit there because of some “community divide”? Priorities messed up much? Let the gold flow!
Easy to say when you’re not the one losing control or risking chaos. Think deeper.
Wait, why is the government blocking $4 billion in gold? Feels like theyre just hoarding wealth while locals miss out!
Because controlling wealth means power. They’re never about locals, only their own pockets. Wake up.
It’s crazy how we all seem to l have the same views on this sort of thing & the crown etc…but yet the exact same major crown placed partys get your votes year after year…
” WE THE PEOPLE” could sort this kinda problem in a heart beat🇳🇿
It’s crazy how we all seem to l have the same views on this sort of thing & the crown etc…but yet the exact same major crown placed partys get your votes year after year…
” WE THE PEOPLE” could sort this kinda problem in a heart beat🇳🇿
This has been law before the 50’s. Maori landowners have encountered this previously, years back, and water is another commodity your not allowed to profit from only overseas companies from Asia are allowed to tap, bottle and sell our water at anytime, Ffs.
The gold may not be his. But maybe he can charge a substantial fee to disclose exactly where on his land the gold is. And then he should be able to charge an entry fee for people to cross his land including a set fee for each type of vehicle. And then a fee for cartage across his land for every kg carted out.
He should’ve kept his gob shut and just quietly chipped away at it, $NZD5k/oz +
Actually it has a lot to do with it. The top two inches of land are the farmers. Anything under that apparently belongs to the government and maori. In the south island of New Zealand, maori can mine for green stone as deep as they like but non-maori aren’t allowed to even pick it up for fear of maori or govt backlash. Remember the brothers who decided to take greenstone home by helicopter . Jail time . All greenstone belongs to…..guess who
Read the Mining Act…Law has been there forever..
If he had that knowledge,he would have applied for an exploration permit,(requires some capital,which could have been got with some ounces quietly panned out.)
The Fellow discovered $4 Billion Dollar reserve of Gold. Somebody (MBIE) cut him a ‘finders fee’ Cheque/Bank Deposit for that, as a Start. Recognition is due. But it’s not the end of the matter. If the Gold Deposit was allowed to be developed by him and partners then the money would accrue locally and likely within New Zealand. Unfortunately, the era we live in is of one of corrupt Government who will sell out NZ Enterprises to Foreign Companies and will also build an Elite Maori class to sell out the Country’s working people, in perpetuity. It’s called The ‘Africa’ model – and it’s for the benefit of foreign Elites.
If the government owns it, then why are foreign companies always taking it? And kiwis get nothing
Just higher taxes
Blackrock are ready to dig that gold.
Blackrock comes in the night time and takes the gold hhh