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Welcome

Established in 1867, the Lawrence Chinese Camp is the earliest and largest Chinese gold mining settlement in the region of Otago in New Zealand.  

 

At its peak, in the late 1880’s, the Camp was a thriving trading hub catering to Chinese miners in the Tuapeka District of Otago and to those travelling through, and was home to over 120 residents. 

 

The Camp is a category 1 New Zealand Heritage historic place with three original buildings remaining: the Empire Hotel, the stables and the Poon Fah Joss House.

 

Preservation and restoration of the heritage buildings is underway. There are plans to create museum spaces showcasing the history of Otago's Chinese goldminers and visitors will soon experience the Camp of old through a virtual reality recreation of the archeological site.

 

​​Situated just 1.2km outside the picturesque township of Lawrence, the camp is located along State Highway 8 and the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail.


Update
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We have been eagerly waiting for this news and are pleased to share that we have gained building consent for the restoration work of two buildings at Lawrence Chinese Camp.  Stage 1 work (pre0construction water/waste/electrical trenching and installation) is underway and we are now fundraising for the Stage 2 construction work.

Thank you to Origin Consultants, Engineer Stephen MacKnight and Southern Plumbing and Heating for their work. Also to Clutha District Council for their funding contribution of building consent fees.

What's On

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EWE DRIVE

We are now seeking local support to help get the building restoration underway. This is the most exciting phase to date as there will be physical changes to the camp buildings.

Can you help with this fund raising initiative by donating an old ewe or two?  


If so, call our Trustees to arrange drop off/pick up 
Geoff - 027 474 8098
Roger - 027 284 6270

 
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Archived News

Thank you to our major funding supporters

The Trust also acknowledges the support and contribution of the following partners and friends of the Lawrence Chinese Camp:

Organisations

Asia New Zealand Foundation

Clutha Development

Clutha District Council

Dunedin Casino 

Lawrence Golf Club

Lawrence Lions Club

Otago-Southland Chinese Association

Tuapeka Goldfields Museum

Sun Gum Saan Ltd

Businesses

Monarch Cruises

Origin Consultants

Locales

Rayonier Matariki Forests

Southern Hunting Adventures NZ

Stronsay Winery

The Prospector

Tiny's Milton Butchery

Zen Solutions

Southern Pacific Archaeological Research

Givealittle donors _ Fundraiser auction item donors _ Lawrence-Tuapeka community _ Descendants of the Lawrence Chinese Camp _ Friends of the Camp _ Camp visitor donors _ Buy a Brick donors

People

Bryan Cadogan, Clutha Mayor

Malcolm Wong

Teresa Chan

Anne Cheng

Rodger Anderson

Hamish Dalziel 

Jan Harper

Peter Petchey

Lynda Gemmill
Glenis Thomas

Trish Palmer

Jean & David Lai

Tak and Noelyn Hung

Ingrid Leary MP

James and Eva Ng

Robin Marks

Philip and Kim Seque

Enoch Shi

Loyis Stewart

Nicky Won

Peter Chin

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