Doubtless Bay excavation reveals Māori midden, 19th-century artefacts

Residents and holidaymakers are invited to an archaeological dig in Doubtless Bay which is to take place on January 9.

Northland residents and holidaymakers can take part in a community-based archaeological excavation in Doubtless Bay on January 9.

The excavation, near the Butler Point Whaling Museum at Butler Point in Hihi, will be led by Mangōnui-based archaeologists Justin Maxwell and Jennifer Huebert, with volunteer support from local iwi and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga between 10am and 2pm.

It will focus on a gently sloping area on the Butler Estate close to the beach.

Previously almost impenetrable, several large flame trees and sections of scrub were removed earlier in 2024, enabling the area to be archaeologically investigated, Maxwell said.

“We found some 19th-century European materials on the ground’s surface ... along with a Māori midden which had been uplifted by the flame trees over time.

“We undertook a surface survey, mapped the artefacts and probed the subsurface while leaving remaining vegetation and slash in place to protect any other surface artefacts or features that may be present.”

The surface artefacts – including hand-made bricks and fragments of window glass consistent with the early 19th century – confirmed the presence of an early European structure.

The midden also showed Māori were living on or near the terrace before that, Maxwell said.

Known as the ancestral landing place of the waka Ruakaramea and its captain Moehuri, Mangōnui Harbour was once home to a sizable Māori population, which is reflected in the large number of archaeological sites and features found around the Mangōnui area and adjacent Doubtless Bay.

The excavation at Butler Point in Hihi will investigate evidence for Māori occupation and colonial-era European occupation.

Three significant pā – Rangikapiti Pā on the south head of the harbour entrance, Rangitoto Pā on the north head, and Moehuri Pā on the Butler Estate – overlook the harbour entrance.

“The waters here provided plentiful marine resources, and the geology and soils of the area were favourable to Māori settlement and growth,” Maxwell said.

“The area also became a key focus of early Māori-European interactions, starting with visits from whaling ships obtaining provisions and timber in the late 18th century.”

The excavation will investigate evidence for Māori occupation and use of the area, colonial-era European occupation, the characteristics of the occupants, activities they were undertaking at the time, and how people interacted with other residents and visitors.

Along with answering research questions, other goals were to engage the local community and “increase people’s understanding of the heritage and archaeological values of the sites at Butler Point, while also working with iwi participants to help Ngāti Kahu increase the skills of their cultural monitors”, Maxwell said.

“This area has the makings of a compelling archaeological excavation, and we are looking forward to sharing what we find.”

• The meeting point is at 31 Marchant Rd, Hihi. Admission is free.