Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith was delighted to find five flakes of gold while prospecting in the Cardrona River near Wanaka yesterday, but it was not enough to satisfy his fellow prospector, Waitaki MP Miles Anderson.
Five flakes were also not enough to cover the estimated $300,000 budget for organising the World Gold Panning Championships in Central Otago 2026.
"Not enough to clear the national debt, but it is a start," Mr Anderson quipped.
World Gold Panning Championships organiser Terry Davis (left) admits to salting Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith’s pan at the Cardrona River yesterday. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK
