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 
NORTHLAND
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.
Rangikapiti Pa, Mangonui, Doubtless Bay
 What: Maori
fortification - pa, and trig (survey) marker.Where: Prominent hill at eastern end of Coopers Beach Doubtless Bay. 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. 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. |
 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.Where: South of Kawakawa Web Info: http://www.archives.govt.nz/holdings/ 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.
|
Maiki - Flagstaff Hill, Russell
| What: Site of a
symbolic flagpole, remains of a British redoubt built to protect
the pole. Where: North of Russell 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. |
| What: A small hilltop
pa. This site has been excavated. Interpretation on site. Where: Butler Point east of Mangonui in Doubtless Bay. 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. |
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. 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. |
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 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. |
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 Web Info: http://www.historic.org.nz/places2visit/ How to get there: 15 minutes from Kerikeri, access from Edmonds Road, via Cobham Road and Inlet Road How long to allow: 15 minutes What else to do there: Shopping and cafes in Kerikeri, Kerikeri basin heritage area. |
St Pauls Rock Whangaroa
 What: Maori
pa site on a spectacular landform.Where: Eastern side of Whangaroa Harbour. Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/ 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. 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 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. |
Motukiore Island, Whangarei Harbour
| What: Pa site on the
harbour edge Where: Entrance to Parua Bay Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=43622 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: |
Pou To o Te Rangi Pa, Dargaville
| What: Maori defensive
site Where: 2 km south of town on prominent hill top 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. |
Guides:
Maori Travel Guide: The tail of the fish / Auckland and Northland. Tai Tokerau Tourism
While you are in Northland we recommend:
Historic Places Northland Properties
Hundertwasser’s fabulous public toilets in Kawakawa
Mangonui, Russell, Waipu and Rawene are heritage towns. The Kerikeri Basin is a heritage area.
What: Mine
and cement works. Site of the first Portland cement
production in the southern hemisphere. There is a charge.
What: Mine
engine house remains. Mining commenced in the 1840s.Interpretation
at Mansion House.
What:
Paper mill on the site of earlier timber and then four mill.
Originally water powered - a wheel pit it the most obvious feature
along with the wharf alongside the river. Interpretation signs.
What: Prehistoric Maori
fortification and town built on a volcanic cone. There is a little
on site interpretation. Be sure to get away from the summit where
modern road and carparks have destroyed the Maori evidence. Look
out for kumara storage pits (see picture).
What: Water
supply beam engine - in original position drawing from a lake formed by
the dammed spring. The engine was recently restored to operating
condition.
How to get there:
Get a track map for the DOC visitor centre. 
How to get there:
Drive to Hahei Beach and park near the eastern end. The pa is in a
reserve with a clear track.
What: The
oldest building in Whitianga - from the 1870's
What: Mine shaft
(behind building), Thames- Hauraki pump house and quadrants from the mine pump. The shaft is largely
infilled.
What:
Driving dam used to hoosh kauri logs to the sea and the saw mill.
A late example built in the 1920's. This site is fragile - please keep off the
timber structure.