How did early Māori cultivate the land here? We are standing at the \u014ctuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve. It is a place where history whispers from the stones beneath our feet. This reserve protects a significant archaeological and cultural heritage area.
\u014ctuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve reveals how people lived and worked in Auckland’s volcanic areas. Two hundred years ago, Auckland had about 8000 hectares of volcanic stonefields. Today, only this 100-hectare reserve remains. It was established in 2001.
When the first Polynesians arrived in Aotearoa, they brought tropical plants. However, the shorter growing season challenged them. Only kumara, taro, yams, and gourds thrived, especially in Auckland’s volcanic stonefields.
At \u014ctuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve, you can see low mounds of volcanic scoria stone. These are mound gardens. They were mainly used to grow kumara. The stones absorbed heat warming the earth and retaining moisture extending the growing season.
Archaeologists have found that these mounds often contain specially modified soil. This soil has added organic matter and ground shell. It is safe to say that nearly every stone here has been moved by human hands. Walking towards the sea, you’ll notice an area of low hills and gullies. The gully floors appear unusually free of stone. The stone has been stacked on the hilltops to leave the gully floors clear for cultivation.
Interestingly, each cultivation and sheltering wall was named after an ancestor or historical event. This gave family groups rights to occupy certain parts of the garden. In each corner of these walls were upright stones. These stones were never moved and were considered tapu, marking family unit limits. This landscape was deeply intertwined with the identity of those who lived and worked here at \u014ctuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve.
Another key feature here at \u014ctuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve is the p\u0101. A p\u0101 is a hillfort or defended settlement. Auckland has many volcanic cones. Māori settled and used all of them. Unfortunately, this particular cone was extensively quarried for scoria before the site became a reserve. However, you can still make out the terraces on the southern side. These level areas were cut into the lower slopes. Māori lived on these terraces.
Although the p\u0101 suggests a time of unrest, much of \u014ctuataua consists of undefended settlements and gardens. This tells a different story. P\u0101 were likely more than just defensive structures. They also represented the identity and status of the wider group or iwi. When seen as a complete landscape, the story of \u014ctuataua becomes more than just gardens, houses, and p\u0101.
Another interesting site here at \u014ctuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve is ‘The Big House’. About halfway between the mound garden and the gullies, there’s a rectangular outline of stone. This is believed to be the foundation of a large house or structure. Nearby are several shell middens. This structure has never been excavated. However, the shell middens suggest meals were eaten here. Perhaps it was a communal place to share food while working in the gardens.
All over \u014ctuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve, you can find shell middens. This isn’t surprising given the proximity to the coast. Fishing, shellfish gathering, and horticulture were the mainstays of the local economy.
In Polynesia, crops like kumara are left in the ground until needed. However, in New Zealand’s cooler climate, early settlers couldn’t do this because the kumara would rot. Instead, they harvested and stored the kumara. At \u014ctuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve, you might spot shallow, rectangular depressions in the ground. These are the remains of kumara storage pits. Originally, these pits had timber walls and thatched roofs. These storage pits are outside the defended p\u0101. This suggests the people felt safe here on the edge of the Manukau Harbour.
\u014ctuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve is more than just a collection of stones. It is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of early Māori settlers. Their deep connection to the land shaped not only their gardens but their entire way of life. As we leave this place, remember the stories etched in these stones.