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Art. VI.—The Site of Maupuia Pa, Miramar.
[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 2nd November, 1904.]
In the “Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,” vol. v., page 398, some particulars of historic pas of Miramar, known in native history as Hataitai, or Whataitai (murmur of the tide, salt air, or brackish) are given by the late Mr. J. C. Crawford. These are supplemented by a map indicating the places mentioned in his paper. Mr. Elsdon Best also mentions the pa which forms
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the subject of this note in his paper in the “Polynesian Journal,” vol. x., page 137, where he states that the posts were to be seen some forty years ago.
Among the various tribes that held Hataitai during its varied history were the Ngatikahungunu (ungunu, garment of the dwarf) whose descendants are to be found in the Wairarapa to-day. Of this tribe, the Hinepari (daughter of the cliff) were a sub-tribe. Under the chief Te Rahui (prohibited) this subtribe built Maupuia (hold to the scrub). There were several attacks made on the pa, but the besieged were able to beat their enemies off. The uncovering of human bones during the excavation of a site for Mr. Bell's house on the ridge, about 20 chains to the southwards, may be an evidence of one of these battles. Kokotahi (one tui) and Te Taniwha (goblin) were battles fought on the waters of Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour), in which the Hinepari defeated their old enemies the Ngatiapa.
It was not the custom of the dwellers on the Miramar Peninsula to fortify their pas with earthworks, for the reason that rocky formation is met with under the subsoil. This makes it difficult to identify the site of pas. There are no indications of earthworks at Maupuia. Maupuia was situated on the narrowest part of the ridge overlooking Miramar Wharf, in Evans Bay. The spot is within three miles of the General Post Office, Wellington, as the crow flies, and the main road to Worser Bay runs below.
Upon searching for indications which would show exactly the site of Maupuia, the first evidence found was that of a large umu, or oven, which had been uncovered on the northern edge of the large cutting which gives access to the grassy flats formerly the bed of the Para Lagoon (named Burnham Water by Colonel Wakefield in 1840). It is upon the south side of the cutting, however, that the pa was built.
The recent subdivision (October, 1902) of Miramar enables me to give very exactly the spots where the posts and kumarapits about to be described are situated. In the plan of the subdivision of Miramar and Evans Bay Estate, Queen's Terrace commences not far from Evans Bay wharf, at the southern boundary of Section 26, Block A. 6 ft. from the south-western corner peg of this section a totara post was found, the top of which was level with the ground. When unearthed it was found to be in an excellent state of preservation. There were no marks of tools upon it. At the bottom it was charred. From the fact of its being also charred on top it is inferred that the palisade of the pa was burned. The dimensions are: Length, 4 ft. 11 in.; girth, 4 ft. After a month's exposure its weight
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is as much as an average man can lift with difficulty. A second post has been uncovered 15 ft. distant, between the survey peg mentioned and the peg at the angle of Queen's Terrace. This one is not well preserved. These posts must have been in the ground upward of a hundred years. 4 ft. from the first post is a kumara-pit, 7 ft. long, 5 ft. 3 in. wide, and 3 ft. 3 in. from the surface to the original bottom. Beneath 1 ft. of soil which has fallen in are charred pieces of totara, further evidence of the burning of the palisade. Side by side with this pit is one of smaller size. At various spots between where Queen's Terrace commences and Miramar cutting there are further depressions. There is a deposit of sand on the top of the ridge, now prevented from drifting by a growth of bent grass, and on its surface and in the soil are burnt umu stones and shells innumerable, as well as pieces of charred sticks, fish-bones, &c., and other evidences of the exercise of the culinary art. It is interesting to find that these indications occur where most shelter from the northerly winds is obtained.
It may here be mentioned that the sites of Tapu te Rangi, O-rua-iti, Kau-whakaara-waru, and Te Mahanga have been fixed more or less definitely. The sites of Kakariki and Te Matakikaipoinga still remain to be located, and to these may be added Paikakawa and Harukaikuru. I have recently been informed that earthworks of a pa exist on the summit of the range rising directly behind the churchroom at Worser Bay; also that totara posts were discovered in the ground during the construction of Fort Gordon.