Detailed characteristics of gold from Pliocene auriferous quartz gravels from Waimumu (Southland) have been studied using a combination of optical microscopy, energy dispersive microprobe analysis and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The gold at Waimumu is classified as either: 1. detrital gold, or 2. irregular gold._x000D_
A number of different morphologies a recognisable within each 'gold type'._x000D_
Evidence is given for an predominently authigenic origin for some of the gold at Waimumu.