The leaders of an archaeological dig at one of New Zealand's oldest known inhabited sites hope their findings will help New Zealanders learn about their history.
About 20 archaeologists and iwi volunteers have spent the past two weeks carefully excavating part of Mangahawea Bay, on Moturua Island, where radiocarbon dating has shown a beachside settlement and sprawling gardens were established around 1300. That date is backed up by finds of now-extinct wildlife and a pāua fish hook carved in Polynesian style, suggesting it was made by the first wave of arrivals from what are now the Cook Islands, or French Polynesia.
The dig, which ended on Friday, was the third at the bay over the last three summers, but will be the last unless new funding is found.
Meanwhile around 300 people attended an open day last week, despite drizzly conditions and boat-only access.
Excavation director James Robinson said this year's dig had confirmed the site was occupied and cultivated without interruption from about 1300 to 1898. Archaeologists had been able to trace changes in horticulture, from taro and yams to the more climate-suitable kūmara, and finally to white potatoes, which were traded for muskets.