Whangarei
17.89°C
Whangarei
17.89°C
Waitakere City
16.98°C
Manukau City
17.11°C
Papakura
24.46°C
Hauraki
17.26°C
Waikato
17.67°C
Matamata
18.46°C
Hamilton
17.51°C
Otorohanga
18.52°C
Rotorua
16.6°C
Taupo
15.44°C
Tauranga
19.27°C
Kawerau
18.6°C
Whakatane
19.64°C
Gisborne
15.51°C
New Plymouth
16.98°C
Stratford
8.97°C
Ruapehu
14°C
Wanganui
17°C
Palmerston North
16.41°C
Wairoa
19.19°C
Hastings
18.84°C
Napier
18.49°C
Masterton
15.49°C
Carterton
15.66°C
Porirua
15.99°C
Lower Hutt
16.45°C
Wellington
15.79°C
Tasman
9.35°C
Nelson
16.27°C
Marlborough
3.22°C
Kaikoura
15.48°C
Christchurch
12.59°C
Ashburton
12.52°C
Timaru
13.37°C
Waitaki
11.32°C
Waimate
13.08°C
Queenstown
12.38°C
Dunedin
14.33°C
Southland
9.98°C
Gore
11.31°C
Invercargill
12.06°C
Blenheim
14.73°C
Te Anau
27.35°C
Wanaka
11.17°C
Kaikoura
13.38°C
Stratford
13.54°C
Upper Hutt
15.9°C
About
Walk through native forest to the site of a small defensive pā built and used by Ngati Hia in the late eighteenth century.
This walk takes you up through native forest to a fence line, with plant identification labels along the way. Cross a stile onto farmland and then up a steep track to the pā site. Keep to the fence line and be mindful of stock that may be in the paddock. The farm track may be slippery if wet.
The pā was occupied by Ngāti Hia in the 1700s, and was the site of a notable battle between Ngāti Hia and a war party led by Tanetinorau. Defence structures (trenches) and kūmara pits are evident at the pā site.
The steep slopes around the pā were a natural defence against raiding parties. Ditches were dug across the access ridges and wooden palisades surrounded the interior living area. Though diminished over time, it is not hard to imagine the impressive fortifications that once stood here, and reflect on the battle that took place between Ngati Hia and Taane Tinorau.
The dry soil of the pāwas also a good place to store kumara and tubers in winter. The kumara pits were on the lower slopes and had timber and earth roofs. They were outside the main defences and only lightly fortified.
From the site there are fantastic views over the area, including other Maori fortifications, the mountain ranges of Rangitoto, and more distant Ruapehu.
On the highest part of the ridge is the pā site where a panel outlines its history.