Why should Ihum\u0101tao be central to all New Zealanders? It holds different perspectives on the country’s history. These perspectives don’t always fit comfortably into the crafted narratives about our nation’s past. Ihum\u0101tao is an archaeological site of historic importance. It sits in the suburb of M\u0101ngere Auckland.
Once a p\u0101 site, Ihum\u0101tao stands on the Ihum\u0101tao Peninsula. It rests at the base of \u014ctuataua which is part of the Auckland volcanic field. Its scoria cone reaches 64 meters above sea level. M\u0101ori first settled in the area as early as the 14th century.
The name Ihum\u0101tao means cold nose. The \u014ctuataua Stonefields are part of an area known as Ihum\u0101tao, or Te Ihu a Mataoho. That means The Nose of Mataoho. The Stonefields feature M\u0101ori stone garden mounds and dry-stone walls. These histories are interwoven with the history of Auckland. It is possible to trace the history of human presence in Auckland. We can see it from initial M\u0101ori settlement to the arrival of Europeans in the 1860s.
The coastlines of M\u0101ngere Ihum\u0101tao and Pukaki Creek were first settled by M\u0101ori as early as the 14th century AD. According to traditions the first settlers were the Ng\u0101 Oho people. In the early 17th century, the area was within the rohe of Te Kawerau \u0101 Maki. By the mid-17th century it was a part of Waiohua. Waiohua was a confederation of Ng\u0101 Oho and other T\u0101maki M\u0101ori tribes. The village of Ihum\u0101tao is considered the oldest settlement in Auckland.
The \u014ctuataua Stonefields were part of a greater settlement of the Auckland isthmus. Archaeologists have surveyed and investigated this since the 1970s. It is estimated that there was once about 8000 hectares of stonefield gardens. The 100 hectares at \u014ctuataua is the last remaining example.
The \u014ctuataua Stonefields were created during the 15th century. Polynesian agricultural techniques were used. The stonefields acted as boundary walls. They were windbreaks and drainage systems for the crops. The crops included k\u016bmara gourds taro and more. The techniques used in the \u014ctuataua Stonefields allowed early T\u0101maki M\u0101ori to grow crops. These crops were not suited to a cooler climate.
During the 17th and early 18th centuries, the area was farmed for the Waiohua peoples. After the defeat of Waiohua chief Kiwi T\u0101maki around 1740, many Waiohua people fled the region. When they began to re-establish themselves, most settled around the Manukau Harbour and South Auckland.
At the time of European colonization, Ihum\u0101tao continued to be occupied. It was occupied by Waiohua-descendent peoples. These people lived in a circuit around the Manukau Harbour. The arrival of settlers significantly altered the Stonefields. Ihum\u0101tao provided food for the growing township of Auckland until 1863. This included corn potatoes k\u016bmara pigs and fruit. In 1846, the Wesleyan Methodist Church established a mission near Ihum\u0101tao.
In 1863, the local M\u0101ori had their land confiscated. This was done by the New Zealand government as punishment for supporting the K\u012bngitanga movement. In 2001, the \u014ctuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve was created. This came after M\u0101ori highlighted the significance of the stonefield garden systems at Ihum\u0101tao.
In late 2016, Fletcher Building acquired the site. They planned a housing-development project. A group of local activists opposed the development of the site. In December 2021, the site was purchased by the government. It was proposed that it be used for housing purposes. As of June 2024, a committee is developing a plan for the future use of the land.
Ihum\u0101tao went from being one of the most prosperous villages in the area. It fed the settlers of Auckland. Then it was acquired by the Crown in 1867. It was sold to private owners two years later. The fight for Ihum\u0101tao represents the fight for land and sustainability. It represents the fight for communal rights. Those who live on the land should be the ones to look after it.