It has taken almost 30 years but the Chinese settlement in Old Cromwell is finally close to becoming a reality.

Consents have been in place prior to Christmas 2024, however hold ups with access agreements for the Cromwell & District Community Trust (CDCT) to proceed.

Trust chair Ali Ballantine spoke to the Cromwell Community Board yesterday saying the delays were frustrating “and we just want to get on with it.”

Despite construction plans having been obtained for a year, the trust had received conflicting advice.

The Central Otago District Council had since entered an agreement with Toitū Te Whenua Land and Information New Zealand (LINZ) for access, as well as a lease with Old Cromwell Inc for use of the land.

CDCT has been involved in the project to honour the Chinese living in Old Cromwell from 1866 to 1920, for several years.

A Chinese gold mining hut similar to being being built in Old Cromwell SUPPLIED

The remains of Chinatown were destroyed to make way for Lake Dunstan and the site was the best-preserved example of a New Zealand Chinese urban settlement.

Located opposite the Victorian Arms Hotel, the Cromwell Chinese Settlement would form part of the proposed ‘Golden Highway’ - a world class cultural tourism experience, featuring stop-off points at the Arrowtown Chinese Camp, Alexandra’s Central Stories, the Lawrence Chinese Camp and Dunedin.

The site would be levelled, a pathway and stone footings made to show the original buildings, as well as a recreation of one of their old huts.

Stage three will involve technology such as QR codes people can scan to learn more about the history and the people who once lived there.

Old Cromwell Inc representative Helen Scoles told the community board they had originally been involved with the project back in 1992 and then the Cromwell and Districts Promotions Group took it over in 2004.

“It has been a long process,” she said.

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