Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value Strachan's Cave is historically significant as it is a reflection of Pakeha settler fears and attitudes, and the state of race relations at that time. It is an example of a structure made in response to a particular situation, which lasted for a comparatively brief time. The cave may also be seen as a demonstration of the isolation in which many Pakeha families lived for years.

Physical Significance

The cave is located in a hillside consisting of soft to medium hard rock with a clay overlay. The fairly sophisticated layout to the cave demonstrates a clear plan for the requirements for defence, with several chambers and gun ports. The construction of the cave by hand is a remarkable achievement and presumably would have been completed fairly quickly, given the perceived threat. Strachan's cave was excavated circa 1858. Archaeological techniques could provide limited information about the cave, its construction and its use. Analysis could be undertaken of the walls to examine the means of construction, and it is possible that cultural material might be located beneath the floor which would indicated the use of the cave.

Detail Of Assessed Criteria

(a) The extent to which the place reflect important or representative aspects of NZ history Strachan's cave is a rare surviving example of a privately built refuge personifying the level to which race relations had fallen in Victorian New Zealand. It is a realisation of the extent to which early Pakeha settlers went to protect themselves when they felt threatened. (c) The potential of the place to provide knowledge of NZ history The cave can provide information on and demonstrate the attitude of the early Pakeha settlers during time of perceived threat. It demonstrates the innovative solution one family undertook to ensure their safety. (g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place The cave is a complex structure, with several chambers and gun ports. It was built with a clear understanding for the needs of defence. Its construction by hand is a remarkable achievement. (j) The importance of identifying rare types of historic places The cave has a degree of rarity. Its rarity comes not from its function as a dwelling unit - the archaeological record has people living in caves in several locations in the country, but through its technological and cultural significance in being designed, constructed and utilised by one family for a relatively short period of time, and for one specific purpose, being defence