Nga Puke-pango at Ohaeawai

This hill fort is a very interesting and picturesque specimen of Maori fortification; a model of it would be an excellent illustration of a terraced hill pa, A spur offshoot from a higher ridge to the north descends to a low saddle, then rises to form a rounded hill from which three other spur struts fall rapidly to the flats to the west, south and east. Thus the hill and its attendant spurs resemble a cross or four-rayed star. The hill itself has been carved into many terraces, as also have the flanking spurs, particularly those descending to east and west, which show 17 and 13 terraces respectively. See Fig. 85, p. 321.

An interesting feature of this fort is the existence of entrance passages, still to be traced in some parts. Unfortunately the writer had not time to make a sketch plan of the various works, which would well repay the trouble; it would be an interesting task to endeavour to trace the mode of entrance through 17 terraces to the summit area. In some cases the entrance path was a sunk way, in others a raised causeway, a block left in the excavation of the terraces. In both cases the terraces at either side are often at different levels, and doubtless the entrance passages would be palisaded lanes.

In Fig. 86, p. 321, is shown a part of the terrace system, commencing a little way down the eastern spur. This illustrates to some extent the method of terracing, and of gaining access to such terraces. Though a spur of easy ascent yet note the manner in which the path winds about it to give access to the various areas. This mode of entrance is noted in many old forts. Emerging from a lower terrace at 1 the path ascends to terrace A, winds round it to the west and page 321 page 322 rises to terrace B, where it forks, one branch following that terrace to areas further north, the other rising to terrace C, where it forks again. The main path swings northward under the scarp, throws off a branch to the north and rises to D terrace. It continues along this terrace to the path junction at E, where it joins the entrance passage from the southern spur. From E one path rises and enters terrace F, and so gives access to the many terraces on the north side of G, which is the summit area. Another enters terrace H and ascends the high southern scarps of G by means of an upward sloping embankment. The various offshoots from the main entrance paths serve the numerous terraces on either side.

Another entrance was up the southern spur, of which the uppermost terrace is shown by I; there are others below it. Where the path passes upward from I to E, it is a sunk way 8 feet deep, and here it would be easily defended. Such semi-subterranean ways were sometimes provided with a platform over them, on which page 323stage men were stationed armed with long spears to defend the passage. They were also provided with heaps of stones, no mean weapon of defence as employed from such a coign of vantage.

Another entrance was by the terraced spur running down from G to the westward, where 13 terraces on the spur ridge, as well as many subsidiary ones, had to be served by it and its branches. Yet another was from the low saddle on the northern spur.

One of the most interesting features of this fort is the singular mode of gaining access to the summit area G. The summit of the hill has been so excavated as to leave a rectangular area of 50 yards by 18 yards bounded by steep scarps 12 feet to 17 feet in height. The entrance thereto is on the south side by means of a sloping embankment rising from H terrace. This would be defended by palisading and a narrow gateway, and forms an unusual feature in native forts. The more common style is a straight or direct entrance with an angle in the approach thereto.

In advancing up the southern and eastern wing spurs it is noted that in some cases the terraces extend right across the spur, while in others they break level on either side of the entrance passage. Such a path may ascend a terrace scarp as a direct sunk way, or by a raised causeway, or as a sloping diagonal approach cut out of the scarped face; in yet other cases ladders were used.

At a distance of 120 yards from the lowermost terrace on the south side is a fine spring of water. There is also water in the gully on the northern side.

At the side of the sunk passage shown near E is what looks like the butt of one of the original stockade posts of the pa. Altogether this is one of the most interesting forts in the Taiamai district and would well repay further exploration. The whole district is a most interesting one and contains many other such antiquities, while Kaikohe, Hokianga, Whangaroa, Oruru and a number of other localities also possess many fine examples of native forts.

A pecularity of Nga Puke-pango is the absence of fosses and parapets, in which it resembles the volcanic cone strongholds described elsewhere. The whole occupied area has been carved into terraces, a prodigious task with primitive implements, the defences consisting of scarps and stockades.

Fig. 87, p. 322, shows the form of the hill fort of Nga Puke-pango, and some of its many terraces. The longitudinal section from west to east shows the terraces on the western and eastern spurs, but many year's erosion has degraded the sharply defined scarp crests of yore, and also rounded the bases of such escarpments.

Continued rain led to the abandonment of the interesting task of examining and measuring this old Ngapuhi stronghold.

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