1 THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL OF MATAKANA ISLAND REPORT PREPARED FOR WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY DISTRICT COUNCIL AND OTHERS BY KEN PHILLIPS (MA HONS) AUGUST 2011 ARCHAEOLOGY B.O.P. Heritage Consultants P O Box 855 Whakatane PHONE: 027 276 9919 EMAIL:
[email protected] 2 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Project Background 3 Matakana Island 3 Resource Management Act 1991 3 New Zealand Historic Places Act 1993 4 Constraints and Limitations 4 METHODOLOGY 5 PHYSICAL LANDSCAPE 5 Geology 5 Soils 6 Vegetation 6 ARCHAEOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE 7 Previous Archaeological Research 7 Site Inventory 8 Archaeological Sites on the Barrier Dunes 10 Pa 10 Midden 10 Archaeological Sites on the Bulge and Rangiwaea Island 12 Pa 12 Undefended settlement and cultivation sites 14 Antiquity of Settlement of Matakana Island 16 Radiocarbon dates 16 Archaic settlement on Matakana Island13th – 15th Century 17 th th 16 – 19 Century 19 DISCUSSION 20 Archaeological Significance 20 The Bulge and Rangiwaea 20 The Barrier Dunes 20 Current Threats 21 RECOMMENDATIONS 22 BIBLIOGRAPHY 23 APPENDIX A: Topographic Map showing location and NZAA numbers of recorded archaeological sites on Matakana Island. 3 INTRODUCTION Project Background This archaeological report was commissioned by Western Bay of Plenty District Council in order to provide an overview of the archaeological resource on Matakana Island and forms part of the whole of island plan for Matakana Island in accordance with the Regional Policy Statement. The Regional Policy Statement states that Council shall: 17A.4(iv) Investigate a future land use and subdivision pattern for Matakana Island, including papakainga development, through a comprehensive whole of Island study which addresses amongst other matters cultural values, land which should be protected from development because of natural or cultural values and constraints, and areas which may be suitable for small scale rural settlement, lifestyle purposes or limited Urban Activities.