Today, everyone expects to come home safe from work. When the Brunner Mine exploded in 1896 families abruptly lost their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons. This led to new hardships caused by a loss of income, with grieving families struggling to pay for food, clothes, rent or mortgage.
The disaster and the plight of the families caught the attention of the whole nation. It ultimately led to improved workplace safety legislation and practices.
Brunner Mine remains New Zealand’s worst work place accident site. Despite the improvements achieved, workplace safety remains a vital issue.
Tohu Whenua are the places that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand. Located in stunning landscapes and rich with stories, they offer some of our best heritage experiences.
The Brunner Mine site is 11 km east of Greymouth on SH7 and the main carpark is on SH7. It can also be accessed from Taylorville Road which runs between SH6 (2 km north of Greymouth Bridge) and SH7 but parking is limited. Walk across the Brunner Bridge to access both sides of the river.
Brunner Mine at its peak
Coal production in 1896
Until the 1960s coal was a major source of energy, vital to powering steam engines for factories and transport as well as home heating. Continuous coal production was of the upmost importance to the prosperity of the nation.
In 1896 the Brunner mine was a big producer of exceptionally high-quality coal, bricks and coke (a refined fuel).
But this came at a price. Underground, coal miners endured hard and unsafe working conditions. Dangers that were faced and poorly addressed included lung disease, rock falls, poisonous gas and explosive gas.
The Brunner Mine disaster
On the early morning of 26 March 1896, mine workers tried three times to coax a team of pit ponies (horses used to pull coal wagons) into the mine. Each time the horses got close to the mine entrance they reared and kicked and raced back to the stables. They finally entered the mine once they were blindfolded and lead in backwards.
At 9.30 am a loud explosion from deep in the mine stopped everyone in their tracks. A flame roared out of the mine entrance, followed by a column of choking smoke.
In that instant 65 men lost their lives, 42 women lost their husbands and 112 children lost their fathers. Nothing below the surface, including the pit ponies, survived.
Only after the incident did people recount the effort needed to get the pit ponies to enter the mine. With hindsight this may have been a warning of the things to come.
The aftermath
Mass burial at Stillwater for 33 victims of the disaster - many families couldn't afford a grave
A horror behind the Brunner mass grave is that many bodies were burned beyond recognition and could not be honoured in a personal burial.
Many families faced eviction because the mine company owned their homes and these were needed for replacement workers. Across the country New Zealanders were moved by this tragedy and donated £33,000 in support of the families.
The miners believed the cause of the explosion was ineffective ventilation. A Government enquiry unfairly blamed the disaster on a negligent worker.
Lessons learnt
In the decades that followed, Brunner and subsequent mine disasters spurred significant changes in our society including stronger unions to give a workers’ voice, political parties that better supported workers, and improved safety legislation.
Today the need is just as strong to keep ourselves, and one another, safe at work.
Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre
| Phone: | +64 3 731 1895 |
| Email: | paparoavc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | 4294 Coast Road Punakaiki RD 1 Runanga 7873 |
| Hours: | Visitor centre hours and services |