Waiuta - through the eyes of a miner
The Blackwater mine
The town of Waiuta
From boom to bust - Waiuta
Signature of Joseph Divis
A signature on letter written by Joseph Divis in 1957, when he was one of the few remaining occupants of Waiuta. Having lived there for many years when the town was booming, he had no wish to move away in his twilight years.
Private collection
Joseph Divis envelope
A letter posted to Joseph Divis from Czechoslovakia in 1935. Just addressing it to him in ‘Waiuta, New Zealand’ was good enough to ensure delivery.
Private collection
Joseph Divis outside his Waiuta house
Joseph Divis stands at the back of his cottage at Waiuta, which proved to be his last home. Rough on the exterior but immaculate inside, it also had a panoramic view of the town which featured in a few of his photographs. The cottage is one of just six old buildings which remain at Waiuta in 2008. See image of the cottage today.
Photographer: Joseph Divis
Brendon Wilshire collection (copyright)
Joseph Divis house in 2008
A front view of the house occupied by Joseph Divis in his later years. It was one of the few buildings still occupied in Waiuta in 2008. See early image of this cottage.
Photographer: Simon Nathan
Waiuta in 2008
Waiuta in 2008 – a view over part of the historic reserve. Chimneys and concrete foundations are the main relics of the community that previously lived here.
Photographer: Simon Nathan
Queen carnival at Waiuta
The 1931 Waiuta jubilee celebrations had an extended prelude in the form of a Queen Carnival, with local organisations competing to see which could raise the most money and have their queen crowned on the big day. That honour went to Hester Nitschke, representing the king of local sports, rugby league. Funds went to building local facilities, including a swimming pool which can still be seen at Waiuta. Having ‘HRH’ and her entourage pose in front of the mine buildings no doubt appealed to the photographer's eye for the paradoxical.
