An Unfinished Pa at Waikohu

A well constructed and commodious pa, Fig 48, p. 189, is still in good preservation at Puha, Poverty Bay district. It is situated on the high left bank of the Waikohu river, near the school. The enclosed area is level land, is 240 yards long and in width varies somewhat, the average width being about 55 yards. Hut sites and pits are still in evidence, also the remains of an earthen wall dividing the area into two parts. The earthwork defences consist of a rampart on three sides, with an outer fosse. A second rampart outside this ditch has been formed in some parts but not at others. The river side was protected by a steep and high cliff. The main earthwork is now (1919) from three to six feet in height. The ditch is from three to six feet in depth; thus the outer scarp of the rampart ranges up to twelve feet in height. These earthworks are well preserved considering the nature of the soil and the length of time during which the land has been under stock. When first seen by the writer, in the year 1874, these earthworks were in excellent preservation, and protected from erosion by a vigorous growth of fern (Pteris).

Some distance below this pa, and a little way above the bridge, is another old pa on the right bank of the Waikohu river, and overlooking the creek at Puke-matai. This place has two ramparts of bulky earthworks heavier than those of the pa described above. It is probably a much older place. It is nearly opposite the Keke-paraoa page 189 pa, which is on the left bank of the Waikohou river, a short distance above the bridge. These fortified villages of old were occupied by the Nga Potiki clan. Old store pits on the ridge at Puke-matai show that kumara grown on the flats were carried up there for storage.

Within the first mentioned of these three forts we found a small bone flute, made from a human arm bone, also a metal spoon; that was in 1874.