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History
"Stone Age" Maori communities were scattered along the coast fishing and gathering prized jade. 1830's Invading North Island Maori tribe massacred the local inhabitants. 1860s - 1900s Gigantic gold rush bought modern European settlers flooding the zone Forests were cleared; roads, towns and ports grew. (1900s - 1960s) Gold dwindled people deserted, towns, leaving them to be devoured by the forests regenerating. Industries of coal and timber sustained some people and Industry towns grew as ships trains and trucks carried their produce to markets. 1960s - 1990s demand for coal dropped. Milling was banned. Jobs went, houses lost value and more people left. Skilled hard working people lost their dreams, their savings and futures. they were angry. 1990s - - - Farming and tourism are now the main industries. Remnants of the past are still there for us to explore and realise our vulnerabilities.
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