Site Visit: Korohiwa (‘Coalheavers’) Whaling Station Site, Titahi Bay, Porirua

Guided walking tour of Te Korohiwa whaling station site (established in 1837), Tītahi Bay, Porirua.

Local archaeologist Patrick Harsveldt will talk about the recorded archaeological site and history of the whaling station at Te Korohiwa and point out some of the archaeological features in the landscape. A short walk from the public carpark will take visitors to the pebble beach where the whaling rowboats and whale carcasses were beached in the natural channel in between the rocks.

This small whaling settlement once featured dwellings and gardening areas. The adjacent Round Point headland has vantage points of nearby pā sites along the coast. This site was used in conjunction with the whaling station on Mana Island. Te Korohiwa settlement was made up of the whale boat crew, land-based support staff and their families, which brought together local Māori and European settlers in the pursuit of whale harvesting – a lucrative 19th century industry.

Duration: 30 – 60 minutes tour (but visitors are welcome to continue a self-guided walk of further tracks in the reserve).

Drive through the unlocked gate entrance to the wastewater treatment plant at the end of Moki Street Tītahi Bay (beside 23 Moki St) and continue to the road end. Meet at the public car park in front of the Porirua wastewater treatment plant.

Sturdy walking shoes will be required on the walking tracks from the carpark to the headland and down to the beach (a reasonable level of walking fitness is required due to the lower track down to the beach sometimes being slippery (unfortunately the tracks are not wheelchair accessible).

No limit on numbers but please RSVP to Patrick Harsveldt 027 4983078