The track out to Motukiore Island starts off Whangarei Heads Road (see Parking Waypoint). Clear trail markers exist through the mangroves as the track passes between the 'Pines' golf club and the Whangarei Harbour; however be prepared to get your feet wet. Even at low tide the early part of the track (300 metres to 450 metres along the track from the carpark) can be wet and muddy and includes a creek forge. Once past the mangoves and onto the beach the walk is much easier.
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Motukiore Island was both an important vantage point for Maori in prehistoric times and its importance is clearly evident with this well-preserved Maori Pa. Its ancient terraces are still clearly visible.
The Pa consists of a series of earthen terraces that were artificially levelled rising up the slope to a central platform (tihi) at the summit. Typically, houses (whare) would have been built on the terraces, along with associated structures like cook houses, drying racks for seafood and storage for fishing and gardening equipment.
The pa was defended by the slopes of the hill itself, probably augmented by wooden palisades and the two defensive ditch and bank features still visible on the ridge below the terraces.
Below the pa, the flats may have been gardened, and gardening may also have taken place on the nearby mainland. The gathering of fish and shellfish and the importance of marine resources to Maori is evident by the thick layer of midden or cooking refuse which rings the foreshore of the island.
Source: DOC Online Information
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Please rehide well.