The Diggers' Story Accounts of the West Coast Gold Rushes

These fascinating tales and reminiscences from New Zealand's West Coast’s earliest pioneers were originally compiled by Carl Pfaff for The Diggers’ Story, first published in 1914 to mark the 50th anniversary of the gold rushes that transformed this remote part of New Zealand. Long out of print, the book has been thoughtfully edited and expanded for today’s readers. This new edition features additional stories and information and is enlivened by black-and-white images and color illustrations, many of them previously unpublished. This compelling, richly illustrated record of the gold rushes is essential reading for anyone interested in the explosive and romantic history of New Zealand's West Coast.

Julia Bradshaw is a researcher, a writer, and the curator at the West Coast Historical Museum, Hokitika. She is the author of Arrowtown: History & Walks, The Far Downers: The People and History of Haast and Jackson Bay, and The Land of Doing Without: Davey Gunn of the Hollyford.