Account of Matai-taua Pa at Paua-taha-nui
(From a Report by Major Last, 99th Regt, dated August 4th, 1846).

"On examining the pa, I found it built on a very strong position, having a double row of timber palisades, with trenches and traverses across, about 80 paces long, and 35 broad, in the shape of a parallel-margo with flanking defences.

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"There was also a bank of earth thrown up on the scarp side of the trenches, which, owing to the heavy rain, were full of water. The position altogether is a very strong one, and would have been almost impregnable without artillery, but a hill about 500 yards distant opposite the front face commanded it completely. Therefore, had the enemy remained, we might soon have dislodged them with our guns, which were in readiness at Porirua, in command of Captain Henderson, R.A.

"The pa stands on a very high ground fronting the harbour; at the foot of it runs a deep narrow creek, fordable at low water; the ground about it is excessively swampy, which the troops had to pass over. On the side the pa stands rises a very steep bank, which, even without opposition, the men had difficulty in climbing. And on the proper left of the position is a very deep ravine, the side of which is thickly wooded. The right face is also thickly wooded, and the ground gradually slopes away into a valley. The rear was the weakest part as to its defence, the ground covered with thick scrub, but from its locality I do not consider a position could have been taken up by us on that side. The defences on the front face were of a stronger description than any other."