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 NEW ZEALAND ARCHAEOLOGY

  www.nzarchaeology.org/cultural_tourist.htm

 New Zealand Archaeological Sites
 for the Cultural Tourist

A page of the NEW ZEALAND ARCHAEOLOGY Site NZAA home page

NORTHLANDBack to the Cultural Tourist Homepage

The cradle of European settlement in New Zealand. The Bay of Islands saw the first missionary settlement, became a notorious provisioning stop for whalers and was the site of the birth of the nation, at Waitangi in 1840.  


The sites on this Google map are covered in this section.


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Whole set of Northland sites: Google Earth 

 


Rangikapiti Pa, Mangonui, Doubtless Bay

paWhat: Maori fortification - pa, and trig (survey) marker.

Where: Prominent hill at eastern end of Coopers Beach Doubtless Bay. Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/PlaceProfile.aspx?id=34441

How to get there: Drive along the Rangikapiti Point road. There is an obvious walking track up to the pa.

How long to allow: Half an hour

What else to do there: Wonderful view over the bay and Mangonui Harbour. Mangonui (Pub and eateries) and Butler Point.


Taumarumaru Reserve, Coopers Beach

What: Three Maori fortifications - pa, and undefended Maori living sites

Where: Western end of Coopers Beach. Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/PlaceProfile.aspx?id=34442

001~Northland/Kaitaia-Area-Walks.asp

How to get there: Off SH12. Walkway takes in three pa and great ocean views.

How long to allow: One hour if walking.

What else to do there: Mangonui (Pub and eateries) and Butler Point.

Hungry archaeologist:


Ruapekapeka

What:  Maori fortification (Pa) from the first period of the New Zealand Wars. Built by Kawiti. Bombarded and captured by British troops in 1846 in the culmination of that war. Its design against modern weapons greatly intrigued its captors. See also the Advanced British Position where the artillery was mounted, just north of the pa past the road intersection. It is signposted. The site features as the only New Zealand archaeological site in 1001 Historic Sites you Must See Before You Die Cavendish (Ed) 2008.

Where: South of Kawakawa Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.archives.govt.nz/holdings/
record_group/ls_litho/1/120.html

http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/New/public/intro.htm

http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=34089

How to get there: Signposted turnoff to the east of SH1 half an hour north of Whangarei, 15 minutes south of Kawakawa. Five minutes to the site on the side road.

How long to allow: 1 hour.

www.dayout.co.nz covers this siteWhat else to do there: The narrow road to the site built by the troops can be seen approaching from the north (on private land). Hundertwasser's toilet in Kawakawa!  Bay of Islands Heritage Railway, Kawakawa.


Maiki - Flagstaff Hill, Russell

What:  Site of a symbolic flagpole, remains of a British redoubt built to protect the pole.  

Where: North of Russell Google Earth 

Web Info:  http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36900

How to get there: 1km north of the town - drive or walk from the Russell Beach front, on track.

How long to allow: 1 hour if walking.

What else to do there: Russell is charming - Pompallier mission, DOC visitor centre, Russell Museum, Christ Church.

Hungry archaeologist:


Butler Point Pa

What:  A small hilltop pa. This site has been excavated. Interpretation on site.

Where:  Butler Point east of Mangonui in Doubtless Bay. Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.butlerpoint.co.nz/

How to get there: See the website for instructions. NB this is a private property. Prior organisation of visits is essential - see the website linked above.

How long to allow: 15 minutes of the pa, 3 hrs for the whole of Butler Point.

What else to do there: Whaling Museum, Butler's house, gardens - a wonderful place. Mangonui town has heritage character - see the old courthouse.

Hungry archaeologist:


Urupukapuka Island

What:  Archaeological trail to a variety of Maori sites. Interpreted.

Where:  Urupukapuka Island starting from Otehei Bay, the site of  Zane Grey's fishing camp. Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36853

How to get there: Boat trips around the Bay leaving from Russell or Paihia stop for lunch on the island. Longer stops can be arranged.

How long to allow: 5 hours for the whole trail, or it can be split into two halves. Parts can be seen in 45 minutes.

What else to do there: Lunch on the island, underwater viewing trips, boat trips through Piercy Island. Russell is a heritage town.

Hungry archaeologist:


Kororipo Pa, Kerikeri

What:   A terraced pa famous for its association with the early 19th century Maori of the Bay, particularly Hongi Hika. Interpreted.

Where:  At the entrance to the Kerikeri River east of the basin Google Earth 

Web Info: http://communities.co.nz/kerikeri/Feature.cfm?WPID=259

http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36872

How to get there: Follow the walking track from the Kerikeri stone store.

How long to allow: One hour

What else to do there: The stone and the Kemp house in the Kerikeri Basin, Treaty grounds at Waitangi.

Hungry archaeologist:


Edmonds' Ruins, Kerikeri 

What:  Ruin of a stone house built in 1840 by the builder of the Stone Store in Kerikeri Basin.

Where:  Kerikeri, Bay of Islands Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.historic.org.nz/places2visit/
places2visit_northland.html#2

http://netlist.co.nz/communities/Kerikeri/Entry.cfm?WPID=1305

How to get there: 15 minutes from Kerikeri, access via Hobson Ave, right to Cobham Road, left to Kerikeri Inlet Road, 9km and left to Edmonds Road. The start of the 400m walk to the house is signposted.

How long to allow: 30 minutes

What else to do there: Shopping and cafes in Kerikeri, Kerikeri basin heritage area.

Hungry archaeologist:


St Pauls Rock Whangaroa

What:  Maori pa site on a spectacular landform.

Where:  Eastern side of Whangaroa Harbour. Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/
trackandwalk.aspx?id=36918

http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36918

How to get there: Starting from the carpark at the end of Hospital Road, a track traverses St Paul’s Rock above Whangaroa township. Length: 500 metres walk, but a 150 m climb to the top. For the fitter.

How long to allow: 1 hour

What else to do there: Great view from the top.


Whangamumu Whaling Station

What:  The protected harbour acted as a base for a shore whaling station in the 1800s and early 1900s. An old boiler, vats, landing ramp and many interesting relics of this age are still in evidence. Whales were caught by a net. Interpretation signs. Operated until 1931.

Where:  East coast bay, east of Rawhiti. Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/
trackandwalk.aspx?id=36850

How to get there: The track to Whangamumu is signposted from the Rawhiti-Ngaiotonga Road, 28 km from Russell. A forest and beach walk of 4.2 km leads to the remnants of the whaling station. Secure car parking facilities are available for a small fee at a nearby backpackers.

How long to allow: half  day

What else to do there: Wonderful coastal scenery. Continue on to lighthouse at Cape Brett.


Limestone Island, Whangarei Harbour 

What:  Limestone quarry, former cement works, Matakohe pa, Maori cultivation archaeological sites

Where:  Western end of the harbour Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.limestoneisland.org.nz

How to get there: While it is a Whangarei District Council owned public reserve there is no regular transport. Friends of Matakohe-Limestone Island Society have a 5 metre flat bottom aluminium barge which we use to transport materials and people across to the island to do planting and other work. Tour groups are taken across for a fee (3-12 people). Contacts, etc are on their website.

How long to allow: one day

What else to do there: The island is a revegetation project and bird sanctuary.

Hungry archaeologist:


Motukiore Island, Whangarei Harbour

What:  Pa site on the harbour edge 

Where:  Entrance to Parua Bay Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=43622

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/northland/
whangarei-area/motukiore-island/

How to get there: Walk across the harbour at low tide (3 hrs window) from the western point of Parua Bay.

How long to allow: half day

What else to do there:  

Hungry archaeologist:


Pou Tu O Te Rangi Pa, Dargaville

What:  Maori defensive site

Where:  2 km south of town on prominent hill top. Google Earth 

Web Info:

How to get there: Follow the direction signs to the Dargaville museum - (and look for ship's masts erected there) - site is on the hill behind.

How long to allow: 30 minutes

What else to do there: The Dargaville Museum is worth a visit, Matakohe Kauri Museum.


Whiria Pa, Hokianga

What:  Maori defensive site. An important site in traditional history.

Where:  NW of Pakanae. Google Earth 

Web Info: http://www.dayout.co.nz/miniguide.asp?AttractionID=3404

How to get there: Day Out says the site is visitable - there is a monument to an important ancestor on the site. Walk to the summit from SH12.

How long to allow: 2 hours

What else to do there: Waipoua forest, Opononi.

Guides:

Maori Travel Guide: The tail of the fish / Auckland and Northland. Tai Tokerau Tourism


While you are in Northland we recommend:

Matakohe Kauri Museum

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Historic Places Northland Properties

Whangaroa Museum, Kaeo

Hundertwasser’s fabulous public toilets in Kawakawa


Mangonui, Russell, Waipu and Rawene are heritage towns. The Kerikeri Basin is a heritage area.