NZ-Specific Considerations
- •Mineralized ground: NZ's schist and volcanic soils can confuse cheap detectors
- •Waterproof is essential: You'll be in streams and wet conditions
- •Fine gold: Most NZ gold is small — you need high sensitivity
- •No motorized equipment: Hand-held detectors only in fossicking areas
Detector Comparison
We've tested these models in Otago and West Coast conditions.
Minelab Gold Monster 1000
The Gold Monster was designed specifically for gold prospecting. It auto-tunes to ground conditions, making it ideal for NZ's variable schist and clay soils.
Pros
- Automatic ground balancing
- Built-in speaker
- Simple to use
- Great for fine gold
Cons
- •No manual ground balance
- •Shorter battery life
Minelab SDC 2300
The SDC 2300 is what serious prospectors use. Fully waterproof, handles NZ's wet conditions, and finds gold that VLF detectors miss.
Pros
- Waterproof to 3m
- Pulse Induction (finds deep gold)
- Folds compact
- Handles mineralized ground
Cons
- •Very expensive
- •Learning curve
Garrett AT Gold
A solid mid-range option that can also find coins and relics. Good for prospectors who want versatility.
Pros
- Waterproof to 3m
- Iron discrimination
- Good value
- Versatile
Cons
- •Struggles in mineralized ground
- •Not as sensitive to fine gold
Nokta Makro Gold Kruzer
Best bang for your buck. The Gold Kruzer punches above its weight class and comes fully kitted out.
Pros
- Fully waterproof
- Wireless headphones included
- Good for beginners
- Affordable
Cons
- •Not as deep as Minelab
- •Smaller brand
Minelab GPZ 7000
The ultimate gold detector. If you're serious about finding gold commercially, this is the machine. Not for casual hobbyists.
Pros
- Deepest gold detection
- Best technology available
- GPS built-in
- Finds gold others miss
Cons
- •Extremely expensive
- •Heavy
- •Overkill for hobbyists
Which Type of Detector?
VLF (Very Low Frequency)
Budget-friendly and good at discrimination (telling gold from trash). However, they struggle in highly mineralized ground (common in NZ) and won't go as deep.
Best for: Beginners & casual hobbyists
PI (Pulse Induction)
Ignores ground mineralization and punches deep. Essential for areas like Central Otago where hot rocks drive VLF machines crazy. More expensive.
Best for: Serious prospectors
My Recommendation
For most NZ prospectors, I recommend the Minelab Gold Monster 1000. It's specifically designed for gold, handles our ground conditions well, and is simple enough that you'll actually use it.
If budget is tight, the Nokta Gold Kruzer is excellent value. If you're serious and have the budget, the SDC 2300 is the sweet spot between cost and performance.
Buy in NZ (with Warranty)
Support local. These NZ dealers offer full manufacturer warranties and know local conditions:
Trade Gold CFDs
Profit from intraday gold price movements with NZ's leading broker.
⚠️ High Risk Warning: CFDs come with significant risk of loss.
Best NZ Gear
Curated list of pans, miners moss, and high-bankers that actually work.
Related Tactical Briefings
Further intelligence for your operational domain.
Dead Men Tell No Tales: Richest Shipwrecks
Billions in gold lies silent on the ocean floor. Explore the legendary sites where the world's richest hauls remain lost.
Recovery TechnologyThe Silent Hunters: 2026 Deep-Sea Tech
Cutting-edge ROVs and AI-driven sonar are changing the game for modern treasure hunters.