A&G Price Ltd

A&G Price Ltd Established in 1868, A & G Price Ltd is one of New Zealand’s largest and longest established heavy engineering works.

This image has been digitally enhanced to bring greater clarity to an early view inside A&G Price’s Thames machine shop....
11/05/2026

This image has been digitally enhanced to bring greater clarity to an early view inside A&G Price’s Thames machine shop.

Founded in 1868 during the Coromandel gold rush, A&G Price quickly became closely tied to New Zealand’s mining industry. From its base in Thames, the company supported the rapid growth of gold extraction by manufacturing essential equipment, including stamper batteries used for crushing ore, Pelton wheels for power generation, and boilers for steam-driven operations.

Beyond mining machinery, A&G Price also produced locomotives and provided a wide range of general engineering services, helping build the infrastructure needed to sustain mining communities. Workshops like the one shown here were at the centre of that effort, where skilled tradespeople operated complex machinery to produce the components that kept the industry moving.

This strong foundation in heavy engineering would shape the company’s role in New Zealand industry for generations.

In 1903, A&G Price secured its first locomotive contract with New Zealand Railways, marking the beginning of a long and ...
08/05/2026

In 1903, A&G Price secured its first locomotive contract with New Zealand Railways, marking the beginning of a long and influential role in the country’s rail industry. The order was for ten “Wf” tank locomotives, each weighing around 43½ tons, with a total contract value of £28,000.

These locomotives were well suited to New Zealand conditions, designed for reliability and versatility across a developing rail network. Contracts like this helped establish A&G Price as a trusted manufacturer of railway equipment, contributing to the expansion of national transport and infrastructure.

A strong start to a legacy that would span decades of locomotive engineering.

Recognition that reflects years of hard work and global impact.In 2002, A&G Price received the Trade New Zealand Export ...
04/05/2026

Recognition that reflects years of hard work and global impact.

In 2002, A&G Price received the Trade New Zealand Export Award, acknowledging strong performance in international markets and the ability to deliver New Zealand engineering to the world. This award highlighted the company’s success in exporting high-quality products and services across a range of industries.

It stands as a milestone in our journey, recognising the people, capability, and commitment behind taking local expertise onto the global stage.

From workshop floor to major international rail projects.A&G Price has manufactured high-tech railway brake castings for...
01/05/2026

From workshop floor to major international rail projects.

A&G Price has manufactured high-tech railway brake castings for Downer EDI Rail as part of the Sydney PPP project, supporting a fleet of 624 train carriages. Components like these play a critical role in safety and performance, where precision and consistency are essential.

Projects of this scale reflect the capability to deliver complex, high-spec work that meets strict rail standards, while supporting modern public transport infrastructure across the region.

Proud to contribute to projects that keep cities moving.

Behind every vessel, structure, and critical component is a level of testing that cannot be compromised.At A&G Price, ou...
27/04/2026

Behind every vessel, structure, and critical component is a level of testing that cannot be compromised.

At A&G Price, our NDT team is made up of qualified inspectors working to CBIP standards, using a full range of non-destructive testing methods to assess quality without affecting the material itself. From ultrasonic and radiographic testing through to magnetic particle and dye penetrant inspections, each process is chosen to suit the job and the level of assurance required.

This capability allows us to verify the integrity of our castings and fabrications against strict military and rail specifications, where reliability is essential and failure is not an option.

It is a part of the work that often goes unseen, but it plays a critical role in delivering components that perform exactly as expected, every time.

This image has been digitally enhanced to bring out the detail of a standout piece of New Zealand engineering.Built by A...
24/04/2026

This image has been digitally enhanced to bring out the detail of a standout piece of New Zealand engineering.

Built by A&G Price in Thames in 1936, this Type E geared locomotive represents the peak of locally designed logging engines. Designed for tough terrain and heavy loads, it operated on the Matahina tramway in the Bay of Plenty, one of the longest log haul routes in the country at around 31 kilometres.

Geared locomotives like this were well suited to steep, winding bush tramways, where traction and control mattered more than outright speed. The Type E combined power with reliability, helping move large volumes of timber through challenging conditions and supporting New Zealand’s forestry industry during a key period of growth.

Seen here in near-new condition, it stands as a strong example of the capability and craftsmanship developed by A&G Price in heavy engineering.

A remarkable machine built for demanding work.

Men of Metal: The Story of A&G Price Ltd 1868–1968 by C.W. Vennell captures a century of innovation, industry, and the p...
20/04/2026

Men of Metal: The Story of A&G Price Ltd 1868–1968 by C.W. Vennell captures a century of innovation, industry, and the people behind it all. From early gold mining support in Thames through to locomotives, marine engineering, and heavy industry, it tells the story of how A&G Price helped shape the country’s industrial backbone.

We are lucky to hold one of the very few remaining copies of this book. This is a master copy and it is not available for sale, but we will be sharing more stories and insights from it over time so others can enjoy this important part of our history.

Shown here is the first “Big Pump” installed on the Thames goldfields, built in 1872 and operated at the Imperial Crown ...
17/04/2026

Shown here is the first “Big Pump” installed on the Thames goldfields, built in 1872 and operated at the Imperial Crown Mine in Grahamstown. As mining extended deeper underground, water quickly became one of the biggest challenges. Pumps like this were critical, allowing mines to stay operational by removing large volumes of water from the shafts.

The scale and importance of these pumping systems reflected the rapid growth of the goldfields and the increasing complexity of mining operations. Engineering firms like A&G Price played a key role in supporting this progress, supplying and maintaining the machinery that kept the industry moving.

This early infrastructure helped unlock deeper gold deposits and contributed to the long-term success of the Thames gold mining era.

Source: Men of Metal: The Story of A&G Price Ltd 1868–1968 by C.W. Vennell

This image has been digitally enhanced to highlight a defining period in Thames’ history.Gold was discovered in the Tham...
13/04/2026

This image has been digitally enhanced to highlight a defining period in Thames’ history.

Gold was discovered in the Thames area in the late 1860s, sparking one of New Zealand’s most significant gold rushes. The town quickly grew into a major industrial centre, with mining operations, stamper batteries, and engineering works shaping both the landscape and the local economy.

A&G Price played an important role during this time, supplying machinery, equipment, and expertise to support the booming gold mining industry. The demand for reliable engineering solutions helped establish the company’s reputation and laid the groundwork for decades of industrial contribution.

Today, Thames remains closely tied to its gold mining heritage. Visitors can still explore this history through local sites and guided experiences, offering a glimpse into the scale and impact of the goldfields that helped shape the region.

This enclosed Pelton wheel, installed by A&G Price at the Thames School of Mines in 1886, is a rare surviving example of...
10/04/2026

This enclosed Pelton wheel, installed by A&G Price at the Thames School of Mines in 1886, is a rare surviving example of early hydro engineering used for education and industry in New Zealand.

Pelton wheels were designed to convert the energy of high velocity water into mechanical power, making them ideal for mining regions like Thames where water could be harnessed from nearby streams. Enclosing the wheel improved safety and efficiency, especially in an instructional environment like the School of Mines, where students learned the practical principles behind mining and engineering technologies.

The Thames School of Mines, established in 1885, played a key role in training engineers, metallurgists, and mine managers during the height of the gold mining era. Equipment like this Pelton wheel would have been used to demonstrate how power could be generated and applied to crushing, pumping, and processing systems.

That this unit still exists today is significant. It stands as a physical link to both the early days of technical education in New Zealand and A&G Price’s contribution to supplying reliable, innovative engineering solutions to the mining industry.
Source: Men Of Metal, The story of A&G Price Ltd 1868 to 1968 by C.W Vennell.

🚨 Fraud Alert. Someone is using our name to offer fake jobs and target immigrants. A&G Price will never charge fees, rec...
07/04/2026

🚨 Fraud Alert.

Someone is using our name to offer fake jobs and target immigrants. A&G Price will never charge fees, recruit via WhatsApp or use the email [email protected].

If something feels off, verify it at www.agprice.co.nz and let us know through our Contact Us page.

Address

208 Beach Road
Thames
3500

Opening Hours

Monday 6:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 6:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 6:30am - 5pm
Thursday 6:30am - 5pm
Friday 6:30am - 5pm

Telephone

07 868 6060

Website

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