Takiroa Rock Art Site

This historic place is the main rock art shelter at what is known as the Takiroa Rock Art Site. The rock art is protected by metal caging on a portion of land vested in Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. The earliest known European recordings of rock art in New Zealand were taken here by Walter Mantell, who sketched a group of drawings of the site in 1852. In 1896 the site was photographed by Augustus Hamilton, then director of the Otago Museum. These early recordings are extremely important as many of the figures shown by Mantell and Hamilton were later removed from the shelter by a visiting American scholar, Dr J. L. Elmore.

Takiroa Rock Art Site, Duntroon. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | Shellie Evans – flyingkiwigirl | 18/11/2019 | Shellie Evans

Takiroa Rock Art Site, Duntroon. CC BY-SA 3.0 Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org | MSeses | 18/12/2007 | MSeses - Wikimedia Commons

Takiroa Rock Art Site, Duntroon. CC BY-SA 4.0 Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org | Air55 | 05/04/2019 | Air55 - Wikimedia Commons

Takiroa Rock Art Site, Duntroon. CC BY 2.0 Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org | Tony Hisgett | 19/11/2016 | Tony Hisgett - Wikimedia Commons

List Entry Information

Overview

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 2

Access

Able to Visit

List Number

5653

Date Entered

16th April 1985

Date of Effect

16th April 1985

City/District Council

Waitaki District

Region

Canterbury Region

Legal description

SECT 116A, Otakaieke Settlement, DP 16208 (RT OT 77809), Otago Land District

Location Description

3.5km north-west of Duntroon Township, along State Highway 83

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 2

Access

Able to Visit

List Number

5653

Date Entered

16th April 1985

Date of Effect

16th April 1985

City/District Council

Waitaki District

Region

Canterbury Region

Legal description

SECT 116A, Otakaieke Settlement, DP 16208 (RT OT 77809), Otago Land District

Location Description

3.5km north-west of Duntroon Township, along State Highway 83

Significance

Why is this place significant?

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value The Takiroa Historic Area is of historical significance as being one of the earliest archaeological recordings in New Zealand, with observations of the area made by Walter Mantell in 1852, and Augustus Hamilton in 1896.

Why is this place significant?

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value The Takiroa Historic Area is of historical significance as being one of the earliest archaeological recordings in New Zealand, with observations of the area made by Walter Mantell in 1852, and Augustus Hamilton in 1896.

Reference

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Public NZAA Number

I40/9

Completion Date

16th July 2008

Report Written By

Ellen Andersen

Other Information

Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Public NZAA Number

I40/9

Completion Date

16th July 2008

Report Written By

Ellen Andersen

Other Information

Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.

Further Information

Current Usages

Uses: Maori

Specific Usage: Site of mythological event/ traditional or cultural importance

Former Usages

General Usage: Maori

Specific Usage: Cave/ rock shelter

General Usage: Maori

Specific Usage: Rock art

Themes

Of Significance to Maori

Current Usages