Setting: Situated along the crest at the northern end of a steep ridge immediately above (to east of) State Highway 1, opposite and to north of the northern engine sheds at Paekakariki Railway Station.

Archaeological Features: A series (circa 23) of square and rectangular raised-rim pits grouped in about 10 clusters and extending over a distance of about 600 metres along the ridge. Although a further pit is known to the south of this site (as R26/181) and a further cluster of four pits south of this again (as R26/182) this is the main concentration. Pits are distinct, up to about one metre deep, and up to 6 x 2.5 metres in dimensions.

Supporting Evidence: Pits are visible on air photos. Precise origin not known, but these pits possibly relate to the Ngati-Haumia (a branch of Ngati-Toa) of Wainui Pa, an important fortified village situated at the mouth of Wainui Stream. Carkeek (1966, map 8) shows the position of this pa, and also marks the pit sites on the ridge. Carkeek (1966, p. 152-3) quotes H.J.A. Kemp who visited Wainui Pa and saw kumara being grown "at the head of the valley" by Ngati-Haumia in 1850. It is thus likely that those pits represent elevated storage sites for kumara storage.

Condition of Site: Good. Pits are in grass, grazed by sheep, and are well-defined.

Assessment: The raised-rim pit complex appears to have been a large elevated storage area for kumara, grown on the flats below, possibly by the Ngati-Haumia of Wainui Pa. It is the largest known collection of pits in the Wellington area, and being well preserved is an archaeological feature of regional value.