Cultural Significance

Otatara Pa is regarded by the people of Waiohiki as the original marae of Heretaunga. It has tremendous cultural, traditional, spiritual and social significance to Ngati Kahungunu, and is regarded as a wahi tapu by Ngati Paarau of Waiohiki Marae who "live in the shadow" of Otatara Pa. Ngati Paarau feel that they have traditional responsibility for looking after Otatara Pa and have been closely involved with the management of the Otatara Pa Historic Reserve since the late 1980s.

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value Otatara Pa is historically significant as the place that commemorates the arrival of Taraia and his people (Ngati Kahungunu) in Heretaunga. It was from Otatara that Ngati Kahungunu "gained a foothold in Heretaunga" and established themselves as the dominant iwi in the Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa through a variety of means including conquest and intermarriage.

Physical Significance

Otatara Pa has considerable archaeological significance as it is one of the earliest and most remarkable extant pa complexes in New Zealand. Otatara Pa stands apart from other pa complexes such as One Tree Hill and Te Koru because of its sheer size (44 hectares) and the complexity of its archaeological features, which have largely remained intact since the site's abandonment. The elaborate design of Otatara Pa with its numerous small terraces and immense storage pits is a testament to the skill of the original builders. Otatara is a rare example of early pa construction as the large scale earthwork defences commonly found on pa sites throughout the North Island and upper South Island are notably absent, a fact that has long puzzled archaeologists given the physical extent of the site and the considerable population that would have lived there (as implied by the abundance of pits and terraces). In the words of archaeologist Les Groube, "Otatara Pa is a symbol of the vitality and resourcefulness of the earliest agricultural settlers of Hawke's Bay, the ancestors of Ngati Kahungunu. It must not be allowed to disappear beneath the blades of bulldozers". Otatara has tremendous aesthetic value, despite what is referred to as "encroaching urbanisation". Otatara Pa is a visually impressive site, both from the air and on the ground and it provides spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding environment, from the sea to the Heretaunga Plains and inland to the Kaweka Ranges. These views would clearly have been of importance to the original inhabitants of Otatara Pa and there is no doubt that this site was chosen for its "strategic position as an outstanding vantage point".

Detail Of Assessed Criteria

(a) The extent to which the place reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand history. Otatara Pa is an excellent representative example of sites built during the early period of pa construction in New Zealand prehistory. (b) The association of the place with events, persons, or ideas of importance in New Zealand history. Otatara Pa has a strong association with Taraia of Ngati Kahungunu who is believed to have been responsible for the capture/abandonment of Otatara Pa in the 16th century. Taraia's actions caused the inhabitants to flee, thereby leaving Heretaunga "firmly in the hands of the Kahungunu". (c) The potential of the place to provide knowledge of New Zealand history. There is a high potential for Otatara Pa to contribute to our knowledge of the prehistoric occupation of Heretaunga. There has been little systematic archaeological investigation at Otatara Pa but any future archaeological inquiry should be limited to initiatives such as the Department of Conservation's recent commissioning of a detailed three-dimension map of the entire archaeological complex as invasive excavation techniques cause irreversible damage to archaeological features. (d) The importance of the place to the tangata whenua. Otatara Pa is of great importance to Ngati Kahungunu, in particular Ngati Paarau hapu of Waiohiki Marae. Waiohiki Marae "sits in the shadow of Otatara" and this close physical association has been a key factor in Ngati Paarau's active involvement with the site over the past eighteen years. Otatara Pa also links to the whakapapa of several other iwi including Ngai Tahu and Ngati Awa. (f) The potential of the place for public education. Otatara Pa has tremendous potential in terms of public education, and new interpretation is currently being developed for the site by the Department of Conservation in consultation with the Waiohiki Marae Committee. A resource kit for teachers was prepared by Elizabeth Pishief in 2002 titled: 'Super Sites for Conservation Education - Otatara Pa Historic Reserve'. (g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place. The archaeological complex of Otatara Pa is an elaborate system of earthwork features including storage pits and numerous small terraces for housing. These features "are a tribute to the craft and skill of the original builders who modified the site with expertise and an apparent sympathy for the environment". (i) The importance of identifying historic places known to date from early periods of New Zealand settlement. The currently accepted date for the initial Polynesian settlement of Aotearoa is 1100-1200 AD and 1500 AD is widely regarded as the approximate date at which pa construction began. Radiocarbon samples indicate that Otatara Pa was occupied by 1500 AD, thereby suggesting that it is an early example of pa construction. (j) The importance of identifying rare types of historic places. Whilst there are number of extant pa throughout the North Island and upper South Island, Otatara Pa is unique because of its sheer size (44 hectares) and the complexity of its earthworks. (k) The extent to which the place forms part of a wider historical and cultural complex or historical and cultural landscape. Otatara Pa is an integral part of a wider historical cultural landscape that reflects the prehistoric settlement and occupation of Heretaunga. This historical and cultural landscape includes several other pa such as Puketapu Pa (to the northwest of Otatara Pa on the northern bank of the Tutaekuri River) and numerous pit, terrace and midden sites.