Cliff Forts or Strongholds Paritutu

The high rock column known as Paritutu, 500 ft. in height, near New Plymonth, is a good specimen of a type of stronghold utilised by the Maori, in which they took advantage of a peak or rock pinnacle with vertical or precipitous sides requiring little of no labour in the way of forming defences to make them impregnable. Fig. 94, p. 346, shows the seaward side of Paritutu.

Paritutu might almost be described as a pinnacle, though it does not run up to a point, there being a very small area of comparatively level aspect on the summit. The only means of ascending this rock is on the landward side where, however, it is very steep, and, in its upper part, easily defended. There are several old food storage pits on the summit and under it. On the south and S.W. sides of its summit several small terraces have been formed by the old time occupants and another on the east side. The summit has been flattened, and this small area and the terraces would accommodate a few huts, probably low-walled ones on account of the very exposed position. The rock is andesitic and much shattered, with some soil on the summit, which is about 50 ft. by 36 ft. in size and irregular in form. Storage pits and caves to the number of about thirty are found round the sides.

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From the summit of this stronghold a remarkably fine view is obtained of sea, land and mountain, of the rolling grass lands, homesteads and plantations, The place would not accommodate many people, and would merely be used as a stronghold to retire to in troublous times, as we know some of these rock retreats were occupied early in the last century.