Pits

Tauwhareparae Road, TOLAGA BAY

Quick links:

New Zealand Archaeological Association Site Record Number Y17/167 is a pit site that forms part of the dense archaeological landscape of the Tolaga Bay (Uawa) area. It is located approximately 1.1 kilometres to the southwest of the Tauwhareparae Road/ Mangaheia Road intersection, to the east of the Tolaga Bay township. Pit sites and the many other recorded archaeological sites including pa, midden, gardens and urupa reflect the intensive Maori occupation of the Tolaga Bay from the time of initial Polynesian settlement approximately 700 years ago. Access to abundant food resources from the sea, rivers, inland forests and horticultural production (kumara) meant that a large population could be sustained. It has been estimated that the early Maori population of Tolaga Bay totalled approximately 1200; and the main iwi was Te Aitanga a Hauiti. Pit and pit/ terrace sites are very common in Tolaga Bay, and demonstrate the importance of horticulture to Tolaga Bay's earliest inhabitants. The Bay's fertile soils and temperate climate were well suited to kumara gardening, and the pits were used for storing harvested kumara over the winter months. Rectangular storage pits (which were once roofed with a layer of earth), are more prevalent than the underground storage pits found elsewhere in New Zealand, a pattern attributed to the harder substrate of the soil in this area. They are in fact the most common archaeological site type in Tolaga Bay, and are found along the river banks and on the rolling hills to the south of the Bay. They are generally located in clusters on knolls or terraces, or on ridge crests, in lines from end to end, as is the case with this site Y17/167. Pit site Y17/167 is located under pasture on a northwest-running ridgeline very near to the boundary between the property of M and N Story and Mangaheia Station. A farm track runs along the southern side of the ridgeline, and there is a fence line to the north. A block of vegetation included species such as bluegums and manuka is located to the northwest of the site. Ratau pa (Y17/178) is located immediately to the south-east, and a number of other archaeological sites can be found in the surrounding area. This site was first recorded by archaeologist Kevin Jones during his archaeological survey work in the Whangara, Tolaga Bay and Uawa Catchment areas in 1982-1983. This survey work was undertaken to gain information about the nature of prehistoric settlement in this locality, and also to evaluate specific sites for registration under the Historic Places Act 1980. Jones recorded a series of pits (some with raised rims) along the ridgeline, with a further three pits located on a 'subsidiary terrace' to the south-west. He completed a sketch plan of the site, which reveals that the pits were all quite large in size, including one measuring 6 metres x 2 metres x 1 metre (depth). Pit site Y17/167 was revisited in 1997 by archaeologist Gordon Jackman, as part of his heritage study of Te Aitanga a Hauiti lands at Tolaga Bay. Jackman stated that the site comprised 'an impressive set of 10 pits', and noted that it had not been subject to any significant change since its initial recording in 1982. No major changes to the site were observed during a New Zealand Historic Places Trust site visit in November 2007. The pits were all clearly visible and in good condition. Y17/167 is one of numerous pit and pit/terrace sites recorded in the Tolaga Bay area, and is of particular note as a well-preserved example of a large pit complex. It is also part of a dense archaeological and cultural landscape that is of considerable significance to Te Aitanga a Hauiti, reflecting the intensive Maori occupation and settlement of the Tolaga Bay area since the 14th - 15th centuries AD, and the important role that horticulture played in this.

Pits. Looking west over pits -Y17/167 | Joanna Wylie | 16/11/2007 | Heritage New Zealand
Pits | Joanna Wylie | 16/11/2007 | Heritage New Zealand
Pits. Plan from Archaeological Site Land Title Form | Heritage New Zealand

Location

Loading

List Entry Information

Overview

Detailed List Entry

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 2

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

6545

Date Entered

9th September 1986

Date of Effect

9th September 1986

City/District Council

Gisborne District

Region

Gisborne Region

Extent of List Entry

The registration includes part of the land described as Lot 2 DP 2874, Gisborne Land District and the archaeological site Y17/167 (New Zealand Archaeological Association Site Record Number).

Legal description

Lot 2 DP 2874 (GS5D/1165), Gisborne Land District

Stay up to date with Heritage this month