Key facts
- Fact 01
The Arrowtown Chinese Settlement is on the south bank of Bush Creek, about 200 metres from Arrowtown's main street.
- Fact 02
After many miners left Otago for the West Coast in 1865, the Otago Provincial Council invited Chinese miners from Victoria; the first arrived in 1866.
- Fact 03
By 1888 up to about 60 Chinese men may have lived in the Arrowtown settlement, Heritage New Zealand records.
- Fact 04
Five huts at the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement were reconstructed after an archaeological excavation in December 1983, DOC says.
- Fact 05
Ah Lum's store in Arrowtown was probably built by storekeeper Wong Hop in the early 1880s; Ah Lum bought the section in 1909.
The Arrowtown Chinese Settlement sits on the south bank of Bush Creek, a tributary of the Arrow River, about 200 metres from Arrowtown's main street at the top end of Buckingham Street. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga lists it as a historic place and calls it the last remaining Chinese settlement in a relatively intact state in Otago. Of the similar settlements beside Central Otago goldfield towns, it says, Arrowtown's is the best preserved.
The miners came by invitation. In 1865 many miners left Otago for the new West Coast goldfields, and the Otago Provincial Council invited Chinese miners from the goldfields of Victoria, in Australia, to work in Otago. The first arrived in 1866. Their heyday was the 1870s and 1880s, when many reworked gold-bearing ground that European miners had deserted. By 1885 the Arrowtown settlement had about ten huts, a large social hall, at least two stores and an extensive garden, built of mud brick, mortared stone, wood, corrugated iron and canvas. By 1888 up to about 60 men may have lived there.
Life was hard and set apart. DOC says Chinese miners were often victims of harassment and discrimination, and Heritage New Zealand says the settlement was socially quite separate from the town despite being so close. The Chinese Immigrants Act 1881 imposed a poll tax of ten pounds per Chinese person and limited Chinese entry. The tax was paid until 1944, and the government formally apologised in 2002.
What stands now is partly rebuilt. After an archaeological excavation in December 1983, DOC says, the hut sites were stabilised and five huts were reconstructed to show how people lived. The original buildings still standing are Ah Lum's store and the outhouse that stood behind Ah Wak's store, Heritage New Zealand records. The store was probably built by an earlier storekeeper, Wong Hop, in the early 1880s; Ah Lum bought the section in 1909 and lived and traded there until his death in 1927. Many finds from the 1983 dig are displayed at the Lakes District Museum in Arrowtown.
DOC manages the site, with interpretation panels in English and Chinese. Our 5 day itinerary fits it into an Arrowtown day, and our top Queenstown attractions guide has more to see nearby.
Questions visitors are asking
Can you visit the Chinese gold miners' settlement in Arrowtown?
Yes. The Arrowtown Chinese Settlement is on Bush Creek, at the top end of Buckingham Street, about 200 metres from Arrowtown's main street. DOC lists it as a short walk with interpretation panels in English and Chinese, and says the main track suits wheelchairs and buggies. Check DOC's page for current access details before you go.
Are the huts at the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement original?
Mostly not. After an archaeological excavation in December 1983, the hut sites were stabilised and five huts were reconstructed to show how the miners lived, DOC says. The original buildings still standing are Ah Lum's store and the outhouse that stood behind Ah Wak's store, Heritage New Zealand records.
Why did Chinese miners come to Otago?
In 1865 many miners left Otago for the West Coast goldfields, so the Otago Provincial Council invited Chinese miners from the goldfields of Victoria, in Australia. The first arrived in 1866. In the 1870s and 1880s many reworked ground that European miners had deserted, including around Arrowtown, Heritage New Zealand records.
Who built Ah Lum's store in Arrowtown?
Heritage New Zealand says the store was probably built by an earlier Chinese storekeeper, Wong Hop, in the early 1880s. Ah Lum bought the section in 1909 and lived and ran his businesses there until his death in 1927. Heritage New Zealand calls it the only substantially intact Chinese store left in Otago.
How many people lived in the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement?
Heritage New Zealand records that by 1888 the settlement's Chinese population may have reached as high as 60 men, who at first lived together in communal huts of two to six men. It is unlikely any women ever lived there. As gold mining declined, many men returned to China or moved elsewhere.