Detailed regional maps can be found in our book, Gold for the Taking, and many essential details about where to go, including the following Public Fossicking Areas.

NORTH ISLAND

Coromandel

Although the Coromandel region is gold-bearing, there are no Public Fossicking Areas.

SOUTH ISLAND

Nelson-Marlborough :
AorereRiver, Baton River near Motueka, the Wangapeka and Rolling Rivers, the Rainy River, Owen River, Sherry River, and Tadmor. Most of these rivers have Public Fossicking Areas.

Aorere River Golden Bay, North-west Nelson |
Two areas of the Aorere River are available for fossicking. One near the confluence of 15 Mile Creek and the other near Walsh Creek.

Whakamarina River
There are no Public Fossicking Areas on this river, however, the Pinedale Motor Camp, a few kilometres from the Canvastown turnoff, has a licence for recreational fossicking with a gold pan ($3 to hire) and sluice box ($10).

Glenhope Scenic Reserve (the Howard Goldfields)
There are two Public Fossicking Areas in the Louis and New Creeks of the Howard Valley, and New Creek. 

West Coast Fossicking Areas
Lyell Creek, Stony and Britannia Streams,  Slab Hut Creek, Moonlight Creek, Nelson Creek, Jones Creek, Waimea Creek, Shamrock Creek, Waiho River .

Shantytown, at Rutherglen near Greymouth, is an historic gold town. It offers gold panning for a fee, with gold to take away.

Southland
No Public Fossicking Areas in Southland 

Otago:
Queenstown
Five Public Fossicking Areas have been designated by Crown Minerals in Queenstown: Twelve Mile Creek, Five Mile Creek, Arrow River, Shotover River-Queenstown Lakes District, Gabriel's Gully. The maps of Gabriel's Gully are not in the book, but can be downloaded from this site  here and here.