Totara Pa (Coromandel) Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Great views of the new Kopu Bridge to the south and the Firth and Thames to the north
In 1821 Hongi came with a great fleet of canoes to Totara. But on three sides the hillsides were steepened so that all there was to shoot at was sky and palisades up above. On the fourth side was a flat neck of land, but that was barred by the deep trench and high earthwork. The gap was made later by white men for a roadway. The defenders, with their few muskets, could reload in safety behind the thick earthwork and look over to take quick shots.
Great Massacre
So, after three days ravaging the surrounding countryside, Hongi said he was going away and sent in a party of chiefs for a talk. As the party was leaving, one warned a friend among the Ngati Maru - "Kia tupato" - be on your guard. Soon Hongi's war canoes were seen vanishing around Tararu Point. Doubtless the watchmen looked over the sea carefully that night, in case they came back, Meanwhile, Hongi's men, who had disembarked round the point, were stealing overland in the darkness, and suddenly there was a clamour and shouting as they burst into the Pa.
A survivor later told his son how he, a young boy, was near the palisades by his wounded father (hastily wounded and left for the cannibal feast later) who told the boy to leave him and slip out. He joined other fugitives in the swamp and they fled over the ridges towards Tairua. Looking back, he could see the glare of many fires, and hear the chanting and stamping as the hundreds of Ngapuhi danced war dances while they cooked their victims.
About 1500 perished
On the 19th December, 1821, three canoes belonging to Hongi’s expedition, under Muriwai, arrived back at the Bay with over one hundred prisoners, whom they took on with them the same day to their homes at Hokianga. together with many heads. The “Missionary Register” for 1823 describes with some detail the horrors which were perpetrated on the unfortunate prisoners on the return of Hongi-Hika to the Bay, which occurred on the 21st December, 1821. It is said they brought back about 2,000 prisoners.
You will walk through part of the old defences to get the cache. Note that the gate is locked during the hours of darkness. Respect the locals
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Arfgvat