Historic New Zealand: towns that used to thrive, then disappearedJO MCCARROLL/FAIRFAX NZ The now abandoned wharf at Tokomaru Bay used to transport dairy products to ship overseas. But once World War I and World War II hit, the vast majority of the miners left New Zealand to fight for the Commonwealth, and mining towns disappeared along with them. Hidden and dotted around New Zealand are the remains of some of the country's once most prosperous towns. SUPPLIED/Joseph Divis,Bust: World War II meant miners had to drop their tools and pick up guns to fight for the Motherland. McConnellBust: Possibly due to World War II and the Korean War the works closed in 1952 and the harbour stopped being used in 1963.

Source: Stuff November 03, 2016 07:39 UTC