Hidden Gems: The Volunteer Metal Detectorists Reuniting Kiwis with Lost History

From underwater engagement ring rescues to tracing WWI soldiers, discover the dedicated community of Kiwi metal detectorists reuniting owners with priceless heirlooms.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 6:09 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Kaniwhaniwha Underwater Rescue

Garth Walton, a detectorist since 2018, recently undertook a task outside his usual expertise: an underwater search. Kaela Ivory-Taranaki had lost her engagement ring at a Hamilton swimming hole along the Kaniwhaniwha Track. Despite having never detected underwater, Walton used a snorkel, goggles, and his waterproof detector to scour the area.

After an hour in waist-deep water and nearly surrendering to the cold, Walton received a "good signal" in the sand. Using a handheld pinpointer, he located the ring buried deep in the riverbed. "I was shaking like a chihuahua in the rain," Walton recalled of the moment he pulled the ring from the sand, reuniting it with a grateful Ivory-Taranaki.

More Than Jewelry: Tracing the Silent Soldiers

While rings are common finds, some discoveries carry a deeper historical weight. In 2023, Walton discovered an RSA (Returned Services' Association) badge in Hamilton’s Steele Park. The badge featured a unique soldier’s number, sparking a genealogical investigation.

The Research: Walton and his peers used the Auckland Cenotaph and burial records to trace the badge to a World War I soldier.