Mikotahi

The adjacent pa of Mikotahi was formerly an island though now connected with the mainland. Its sides are steep but not high, and the summit, partly level and in part a gentle slope, shows an area of about half an acre, possibly somewhat more. See Fig. 95, p. 347. There is a considerable earth formation and nearly sixty of the rua kopiha or well like pit stores are scattered over the summit. There are also said to have been caves or tunnels in the sides that may have been utilised as food storage places, and that possibly were artificial. There is a terrace on the western side. Some of the storage pits show a block of earth left when the excavation was made, probably as a step for the accommodation of those entering and leaving the pit.

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The folk who used these strongholds appear to have usually lived on the lower lands just east of them, where their hamlets would be situated.

From these strongholds of Paritutu, Moturoa and Mikotahi doubtless the Maori saw Tasman's queer old ships heading northward, and the coming of the mysterious Tere a Tu-te-paenga-roa, whoever they may have been. They saw afar off the followers of the water roads who had broken through the hanging sky, and the coming of the whalers.

In Fig. 95 both Mikotahi and Moturoa are shown, the latter being the conical rocky islet seaward of Mikotahi. Some natives were living on Moturoa in the year 1839.

Of the various pa at Nga Motu, Mr Percy Smith writes:—"The remarkably rocky mount of Pari-tutu forms a landmark for many miles both north and south. It is 506 feet high, and on the top are to be found the signs of fortification; for this was a place of refuge during the warlike incursions that this rich district has so often been subject to. The same remark applies to the two larger islands, Motu-mahanga and Motu-roa, both of which were places of refuge."

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In his account of the attack on the Otaka or Nga Motu pa in 1832, the same writer says:—"Other pa in the vicinity occupied at this time by Atiawa were Mikotahi, Paritutu, Mataora and Motu-o-Tamatea. Great inducements were held out to those on Paritutu to come down and have a friendly dance with Waikato (the attacking force), but the bait was not taken. This fort was well supplied with food, the great trouble was with the water, which was only obtainable halfway down on the south western face, three hundred feet below the summit. Their mode of getting this was as follows: Two, or sometimes four, large calabashes, were fastened over the shoulders of the man or woman told off to descend the cliff; a strong rope was then made fast to the carrier, who also made use of a second stout rope, which was fastened to stakes driven securely into the face of the cliff. By this means they reached the spring, and, after filling the gourds, they returned by the same way. This would be repeated perhaps several times during the night. Those living on, or occupying, the island pa of Mataora and Motu-o-Tamatea could prevent any depredation on this spring by the enemy, as it lay quite exposed to, and within easy range of, their musketry fire."