Puke-Tarata Pa

This old fort is situated near the town of New Plymouth. It is very well preserved and has been fenced in by the Scenery Preservation Committee to prevent its destruction. This fact has, however, caused it to become overgrown with gorse and fern to such an extent that page 216no good sketch or complete measurements could now be obtained without much trouble and loss of time. It is situated on an isolated hill or short ridge much like that of Okoare in form. About two hundred yards distant to the S.W. is situated the Pari-hamore pa on another ridge.

Puke-tarata stands in a loop formed by the Tehe-nui river and is cut off from other high land to the west by a small area of low lying flat land and a low saddle neck, probably a cultivation ground of former times. The pa is divided into three areas much as Okoare is, and is about 150 yds. long. The western end, where the hill descends abruptly to the low neck, is defended by a ditch with a 6 ft. parapet on its outer side and a high scarp of 12 ft. on its inner side. This latter is the outer scarp of a rampart 6 ft. wide in the middle, but wider at its two ends and practically level on the top. Inside this is another ditch with a 20 ft. scarp on its inner side and the top of that scarp is the highest part of the pa, an area 25 yds. long, inner measurement east and west. The wall between the two ditches is apparently not a built one but part of the original hill face. Round the northern and eastern sides of this area runs a terrace 12 to 18 ft. wide which swerves round to the southern side, where it changes its form and becomes a rampart. The south side falls steeply to the river. These northern and southern sides would be protected by scarps surmounted by stockades.

The eastern end of this area is defended by a fosse 10 to 12 ft. deep cut across the ridge, outside of which is a wall, with another ditch outside that. Then comes another area with a smaller scarp and ditch at its eastern end, the scarp top bearing the remains of a parapet. The third area is 38 yds. long and shows no strong defensive works.

This pa so closely resembles Okoare in form and defences that it was not considered worth while expending time and labour in clearing away the prolific growth of furze in order to obtain measurements. The highest area of the pa was defended by a scarp that was probably from 20 to 25 ft. high, besides outer defences.

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Puke-tarata and Pari-hamore were both strongholds of the Atiawa tribe. They are situated on the south bank of the Tehenui river, on an Education Reserve.