Historic Places Trust issues warning over pa damage

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust says the recent damage to a Taranaki pa site by dairy cows may have been unintentional, but it should serve as a warning for landowners and councils about protecting archaeological sites.

Taranaki iwi Ngati Ruanui said the pre-colonial Te Ruaki Pa site at Ohangai, near Hawera, had been damaged by overstocking of dairy cows through the recent wet spell.

The farm is one of 16 farms previously owned by the Crafar family, which went into receivership last October with debts of more than $200 million.

Debbie Packer, manager of Ngati Ruanui Group Management, told the Taranaki Daily News the pa site had been fenced off previously, but stock had been allowed on since the Crafars took over.

Ngati Ruanui has served notice to Crafar receivers KordaMentha, and has complained to the South Taranaki District Council and the Taranaki Regional Council, hoping for an enforcement order to protect the site from further damage.

Brendon Gibson, of KordaMentha, said it was not clear when the damage had occurred.

Stock had not been grazed in the area since a new sharemilker took over in May, but it appeared that animals may have broken through the fence some time ago.

The site had been newly fenced, and the receivers were waiting to find out what was necessary from the Historic Places Trust, which was investigating the damage.

Trust archaeologist Rick McGovern-Wilson said that while the damage might have been unintentional, it was the responsibility of all landowners to find out if their property has archaeological or wahi tapu significance.

Te Ruaki Pa was recorded as an archaeological site by the New Zealand Archaeological Association in 1961 and its location, features and condition had been regularly updated. Landowners and councils could access the association's website - www.archsite.org.nz - which holds over 62,000 records, Dr McGovern-Wilson said.

"Landowners should be aware that they could be buying, or already working on, an historic site and investigate what that might mean for managing such a site as part of their business operations.

"Farming practices can significantly affect our archaeological heritage and many in the farming community take pride in caring for these significant places."

Councils also needed to take a greater responsibility in passing on information to landowners, he said.

"It is important the South Taranaki District Council not only recognise this early history but ensure its protection by passing on all information to landowners and, where appropriate, through heritage listing."

- NZPA