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Ngā Tohuwhenua Mai Te Rangi: A New Zealand Archeology in Aerial Photographs

The original pre-European pā, Pukerangiora

The original pre-European pā, Pukerangiora.

The original pre-European pā, Pukerangiora.

The view is to the north-west. The pā was probably occupied as a fallback position in the course of the fighting in 1860-61, but features little in contemporary narratives. It does not appear to have commanded positions flanking or forward (westwards) of Te Arei, hence its relative tactical insignificance. The exact function of the large ditches and banks is not clear, but they appear to have enclosed the cliff edge (to the right) and the hilltop (foreground, this side of the fence). Just above the fence running across the foreground, and running at an acute angle to it, is a line of rifle trench with returns, possibly defending the rear of the Maori positions (including Te Arei) against the British attacks of 1860.