Edward (Ned) Cameron was an experienced miner before settling in New Zealand, where he worked on the Thames goldfield in many mines and becoming a mine manager. He also mined on other Hauraki fields, in particular Waiorongomai after 1881 and Tui after 1885. In both, he managed several mines and undertook a considerable amount of prospecting, anticipating good results that were not achieved (or achievable). As with others who worked in the Te Aroha district, his efforts were defeated by the low quality of the ore, and although he earned sufficient to make a satisfactory living, he did not prosper.