Platinum-group minerals (PGM) are recorded from a number of localities along the Waiau River, western Southland, and
the south coast of the South Island, New Zealand. At each locality, small amounts of PGMs were recovered as by-products
of historical gold mining operations. During the period 1890-1950 an estimated 1000-2000 oz. of "platinum" were
recovered from the region, the only area within New Zealand where PGM have been commercially exploited. The PGM suite of southern New Zealand consists of Pt-Fe alloys, IPGE (iridium subgroup, platinum-group elements)
alloys, sperrylite (PtAs2), cooperite (PtS)and braggite ((Pt,Pd)S). The composition of Pt-Fe alloy exhibits considerable
variation and two compositional populations are recognised. Some Pt-Fe alloy grains are chemically zoned. Iridium is the
most abundant IPGE alloy phase and often contains considerable Pt, in contrast to osmium and ruthenium alloys.
Cooperite and braggite grains are characterised by extremely low concentrations of Ni. R^~