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HomePrivacyTerms and conditionsAbout this site
© Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga 2026.
 
Makara Pā

WELLINGTON

Private

Historic Place Category 2

List No. 6143

Quick links:
List GalleryLocationDetails
Setting: On northern (lower) end of long coastal ridge, on west side of Owhariu Bay, overlooking (immediately below to east) Warehou (or ‘Fishermans’ Bay). Wellington West Coast. Site in commanding position with clear view to South Island, and north along coast.

Archaeological Features: A small, triangular-shaped, headland pa, with steep, cliffed natural defences on east and west sides, and defended by an artificial ditch and bank on the wide south side, directly above a shallow intersecting transverse gully. Site is terraced, with pallisade post-holes present behind ditch and bank defences. Site was illustrated by the Evening Post (7 December 1957), and Davis
(1959, plate 2, 3) but O'Rourke (1962) provided a surveyed plan drawing (also repeated by McFadgen 1974).

Supporting Evidence: Excavations on this site by the Wellington Archaeological Society in 1962 (O'Rourke 1962 and 1967); (McFadgen 1974) elucidated the construction of the ditch and bank defences; the 'post holes' were confirmed as pallisade post holes, and terraces were examined. Two fourteenth century dates (Brodie 1962) were obtained from palisade post timber and shells (see McFadgen 1974, p. 63). Site marked by Best et al. (1916) and named ‘Wharehou’. Termed ‘Warehou’ elsewhere.

Condition of Site: Slight natural erosion, but in fairly good condition. Terraces and defensive ditch and bank well preserved. Mention of site included in Lands & Survey 'Makara Walkway' brochure and shown on walkway map.

Assessment: A small, well preserved, headland pa site, with a spectacular coastal view over Cook Strait. One of the very few surviving sites in the Wellington region with clearly exposed, artificial earthworks. A particularly good imposing and ‘representative’ pa site for the Wellington region with fairly easy access.
Pa (Headland) Makara pa | Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
null | Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
Pa (Headland) Makara pa | Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
null | Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

List Entry Information

Overview

Status
Listed

List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2

Access
Private/No Public Access

List Number
6143

Date Entered
19th July 1984

Date of Effect
19th July 1984

City/District Council
Wellington City

Region
Wellington Region

Legal description

Sec 1 SO 30658 Block II Port Nicholson SD

Location Description

On the prominent headland at the western end of Ohariu Bay.

Detailed List Entry
Reference

Public NZAA Number

R27/1

Completion Date

28th January 1983

Report Written By

I W Keyes

Information Sources

Evening Post

Evening Post, 27 Jun 1919, p.7.

New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA)

New Zealand Archaeological Association

Best, 1916

E. Best, H. McLeod, H. Mason, 'Map of Wellington County District Showing Native Names', 1916, NZ Department of Lands and Survey

Report Written By

This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Central Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Information in this report is from the citation prepared for the NZHPT Archaeology Committee at the time of the registration. 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

Former Usages

General Usage:: Maori

Specific Usage: Pā

Themes

Of Significance to Maori

Archaeological Site (HPA 1980)

Web Links

Overview

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 2

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

6143

Date Entered

19th July 1984

Date of Effect

19th July 1984

City/District Council

Wellington City

Region

Wellington Region

Legal description

Sec 1 SO 30658 Block II Port Nicholson SD

Location Description

On the prominent headland at the western end of Ohariu Bay.

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 2

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

6143

Date Entered

19th July 1984

Date of Effect

19th July 1984

City/District Council

Wellington City

Region

Wellington Region

Legal description

Sec 1 SO 30658 Block II Port Nicholson SD

Location Description

On the prominent headland at the western end of Ohariu Bay.

Reference

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Public NZAA Number

R27/1

Completion Date

28th January 1983

Report Written By

I W Keyes

Information Sources

Evening Post

Evening Post, 27 Jun 1919, p.7.

New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA)

New Zealand Archaeological Association

Best, 1916

E. Best, H. McLeod, H. Mason, 'Map of Wellington County District Showing Native Names', 1916, NZ Department of Lands and Survey

Other Information

This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Central Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Information in this report is from the citation prepared for the NZHPT Archaeology Committee at the time of the registration. 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

R27/1

Completion Date

28th January 1983

Report Written By

I W Keyes

Information Sources

Evening Post

Evening Post, 27 Jun 1919, p.7.

New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA)

New Zealand Archaeological Association

Best, 1916

E. Best, H. McLeod, H. Mason, 'Map of Wellington County District Showing Native Names', 1916, NZ Department of Lands and Survey

Other Information

This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Central Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Information in this report is from the citation prepared for the NZHPT Archaeology Committee at the time of the registration. 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

Former Usages

General Usage: Maori

Specific Usage: Pā

Themes

Of Significance to Maori

Archaeological Site (HPA 1980)

Former Usages

General Usage: Maori

Specific Usage: Pā

Themes

Of Significance to Maori

Archaeological Site (HPA 1980)

Location

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