Winter 2023

During July, Josie did an archaeological survey of a property on the southern shore of Lake Rotoiti, where pā site U15/83 is recorded. 

In addition to updating information about the pā she also recorded a large kākahi shell midden on the lake foreshore (image left). The midden has been entered to ArchSite as U15/839, and the record adds to an emerging picture of extensive lake edge occupation and cultivation. This is evidenced in the Māori Land Court records, but to date most archaeological site recording around the lake has focused on pā with the less visually prominent cultivation and living sites being largely absent from the site recording scheme.

The midden is exposed and is being actively eroded as lake levels are exceptionally high this winter, amply illustrating that it is not only coastal midden sites that are being adversely affected by recent weather events.

In early August, Andy and Josie continued investigation of a rural property near Te Teko that is being subdivided. The team excavated a large terrace, V15/1723, which contained a kūmara pit (image below left), nine fire scoops, numerous post holes, and two large hāngi, one with hāngi stones intact (image below right). Further along the same ridge, the team exposed two very large pits parallel to each other. One measured 8 x 2 metres, and the other 10 x 2 metres. The interim report is in preparation for authority no. 2023/538.

Friday night, 4th August; saw the InSitu whānau and friends all dressed up for the annual Central North Island Wood Council Forestry Awards. We came home as winners of the 2023 Outstanding Regional Service Award (image below). It was an awesome night, and we were grateful to be joined by Eleanor Sturrock (Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga) and Cameron McCaffrey (Archaeology B.O.P) who provided support as contributing members to the ‘archaeologists’ table.

Most recently, Josie had a trip over to Tairāwhiti, to undertake some post-harvest forestry inspections.

Site Y18/187 has been harvested, with the large pits in good condition (image right) and the impressive view over Tūranganui that the Māori inhabitants of the site would have had is now visible! Kopua Forest, south of Gisborne was also inspected as part of on-going interim post-harvest reporting.