GLEN INNES TO TAMAKI DRIVE JOINT
WALK/CYCLEWAY, SECTIONS 2 & 3:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Prepared for
Auckland Transport
Russell Foster and Associates
18 Rarawa Street
Mt Eden
Auckland 3
February 2015
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Statutory background
1
2
2.0 Recorded archaeological sites
3
3.0 History
3.1 Selwyn’s landing
6
21
4.0 Registration and scheduling
23
5.0 Proposed works
23
6.0 Archaeological Assessment
6.1 Method
6.2 Results
6.3 Archaeological values and significance
6.4 Assessment of effects
24
24
24
27
29
7.0 Recommendations
30
8.0 References
30
Appendices
I NZAA Site Records
II Route Plans, section 2
III Route plans, section 3
FIGURES
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17.
Route of proposed walk/cycleway
Recorded archaeological site locations
Detail from Roll Plan 35
Deed 235, plan
Detail from SO 814
Deeds plan shown allotment 33-36, District of Tamaki
Deeds plan showing portion of allotment 33 sold in 1844
Deeds plan allotments purchased by Selwyn
Deeds plan showing land transferred to St Johns College Trust Board
SO 1330C, Purewa Native Reserve
SO 1181,Subdivision of the Pukapuka Block
DP 2708
Sale advertisement, 1906
SO 21199 (3), land for railway, 1920
SO 21199 (4), land for railway, 1920
Purewa Creek from Kepa Road, 1931
DP 41497
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6
7
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FIGURES CONTD
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
DP 41498
SO 669, Remuera Block
Detail from 1860s plan showing the Orakei Peninsula
Orakei Peninsula, 1892
SO 211899 (2), land for railway, Orakei Peninsula
Map of Bishop’s Auckland
Sketch plan of buildings at Selwyn’s landing
PAUP heritage overlay
Aerial photograph, eastern part of route
Shell scatter
Aerial photograph, Purewa Creek
17
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TABLES
1.
2.
3.
4.
Recorded archaeological sites, south side of Purewa Creek
Heritage evaluation
Archaeological evaluation
Archaeological effects
4
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Archaeological Assessment
GLEN INNES TO TAMAKI DRIVE JOINT
WALK/CYCLEWAY, SECTIONS 2 & 3:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport are working together to deliver a
shared path between Glen Innes and Tamaki Drive. The shared path will be designed
to connect the existing sections of the Auckland Cycle Network between Tamaki
Drive and Glen Innes; to provide for a Cycle Metro level of service for commuter
cyclists in recognition of its function as part of the Auckland Cycle Network; and to
provide a safe, convenient and attractive path for walking and cycling for a variety of
user types and confidence levels and in a manner that encourages walking and cycling
as an alternative mode of transport.
AT has adopted the following definition for a Cycle Metro:
Cycle Metros take the highest priority as they target the highest number of
potential users. They are high quality and traffic free segregated routes located
within motorway corridors, rail corridors and on arterial or major collector
roads. They offer a high level of safety connecting metropolitan/town centres,
public transport interchanges and other key destinations. They can be shared
off road paths along road corridors, rail corridors, through parks, reserves and
esplanades or separated cycle facilities on road. The treatment is generally a 3
m wide shared path or a one/two-way protected cycle lane or a buffer cycle
lane.
Once constructed the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path will be the major
eastern link in the cycle network as well as being a Greenways Pathway.
The Transport Agency’s objectives for this Project are:
1.
To construct, operate and maintain an off road shared path that:
a. Connects the existing sections of the Auckland Cycle Network
between Tamaki Drive and Glen Innes;
b. Provides new opportunities for connections
nodes and other destinations;
with public transport
c. Provides for a Cycle Metro level of service for commuter cyclists in
recognition of its function as part of the Auckland Cycle Network;
d. Is cost effective whilst balancing the need to provide for a good
standard of facility that is consistent with its function as a strategic
component of the Auckland Cycle Network;
e. Is safe, convenient and attractive path for walking and cycling;
f. Supports a variety of user types and confidence levels; and
g. Promotes sustainability through the encouragement of walking and
cycling as an alternative transport mode.
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2.
To improve walking and cycling accessibility and connectivity for the
Tamaki, Meadowbank and Orakei communities.
As a result of the complexities of the different environments that the route covers it is
being delivered in logical sections. Section 1 between Merton Road (close to the Glen
Innes train station) and the southern side of St Johns Road provides a new off road
link and is currently being constructed. Section 2 will be a new link that runs from
the northern side of St Johns Road down through the Purewa valley to Meadowbank
Station; Section 3 runs from Meadowbank Station across Orakei Basin to Orakei
Road and involves widening of the existing boardwalk. Section 4 will be a new link
that runs from Orakei Road to Tamaki Drive and is expected to be progressed at a
later date.
This assessment covers sections 2 and 3 that runs west from the junction of
Kohimarama Road and St Johns Road to the Orakei Peninsula (Fig. 1.). The report
considers the archaeological and historical implications on the proposed route.
FIG. 1. ROUTE OF THE PROPOSED GLEN INNES TO TAMAKI DRIVE JOINT WALKWAY/CYCLEWAY
SECTIONS 2 & 3: ST JOHNS ROAD TO ORAKEI PENINSULA
1.1 Statutory Background
There are two main pieces of legislation that control work affecting archaeological
sites in New Zealand. These are the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014
(HNZPTA) and the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). Heritage New Zealand
Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT) administers the HNZPTA. Under this Act a consent
(Authority) is needed for any works that affect archaeological sites. In terms of the
area under discussion the definition of an archaeological site in the Act is: any place
in New Zealand that was associated with human activity that occurs before 1900 and
which may be able, through archaeological investigation, to provide evidence relating
to the history of New Zealand.
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Any person who intends to carry out work that may damage, modify or destroy an
archaeological site must first obtain an authority from the HNZPT. The authority
process applies to all sites that fit the criteria of the HNZPTA, regardless of whether
the site is recorded in the New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA) site
recording scheme or if the site only becomes known of as a result of ground
disturbance or if the activity undertaken is permitted under a district or regional plan
or if a building consent has been granted.
The RMA requires City, District or Regional Councils to manage the use,
development and protection of natural and historic resources in a way that provides
for the wellbeing of today’s communities whilst safeguarding the options for future
generations. The protection of historic heritage from inappropriate development is
identified as a matter of national importance (section 6f).
Historic heritage is defined as those natural and physical resources that contribute to
an understanding and appreciation of New Zealand’s history and cultures, derived
from archaeological, architectural, cultural, historic, scientific or technological
qualities. Historic heritage includes: historic sites, structures, places and areas;
archaeological sites; sites of significance to Maori, including wahi tapu, and
surroundings associated with natural and physical resources. These criteria are not
mutually exclusive.
2.0 RECORDED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
The coastal area of the eastern suburbs of Auckland would have been a prime area
from pre-European occupation and many archaeological sites would have existed.
However, modern suburban development destroyed most of the archaeological
evidence that would originally have been present before it could be recorded.
However, along Purewa Creek a number of sites, mostly recorded as shell middens
but sometimes quite extensive or associated with other features such as terraces, are
still present on both the northern and southern sides of Purewa Creek. Table 1 lists
the sites on the southern side of the creek close to the proposed new walk/cycleway.
Those that could possibly be affected are identified. Their recorded locations are
shown in Fig. 2. The locations of each of these sites has been confirmed by hand-held
GPS during the current study, or at least there was archaeological evidence at the
given grid reference. It should be noted that the written description did not
necessarily match the exact location where the evidence was found but the dense
scrub limited the accuracy of a hand-held GPS device.1 The relevant NZAA site
records are provided in Appendix I.
1
Claimed accuracy varied from ±4 m to ±8 m.
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TABLE 1. RECORDED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, SOUTH SIDE PUREWA CREEK
NZAA SITE
NO.
SITE
TYPE
R11/1605
Midden
R11/2258
Midden
R11/2259
Midden
R11/2260
Midden
+ historic
features
R11/2276
Pit
R11/2536
Midden
R11/3051
Midden
COMMENT
Recorded 1987 as shell scatter in paddock on southern side of railway.
2003 noted shell scatter in grass and some in situ patches amongst trees.
Site relocated, December 2015, subsurface shell identified in the scrub and
pasture close to the recorded location.
Recorded 2003. Surface and subsurface shell over at least a 15 m2 area
and eroding down the creek bank. Relocated December 2015, the site may
be more extensive than indicated.
Recorded 2003. Surface and subsurface shell covering a minimum area of
15 x 2 m. Between the top of the creek bank and the railway. Relocated
December 2015.
Recorded 2003. Extensive shell midden area. The original SRF noted
several shell deposits along the east bank of a small side stream. Shell is
widespread over the whole headland on the eastern side of the side stream.
The field tiles noted in the original SRF still present just at the southern
edge of the shell deposit. A further in situ field tile also noted near the top
of the side stream eastern bank. Towards the eastern end of the shell
deposit the midden is cut through by a ditch and bank that corresponds
with the boundary between Allotments 33 and 38A, West Tamaki District.
Allotment 33 was one of the first four allotments (33, 34. 35 & 36)
purchased by Bishop Selwyn (17 October 1844 - Deeds Register Book 1D
64), although at that time he only purchased the part of allotment 33 on the
south side of Purewa Creek. The Crown Grant for 38A was purchased by
Selwyn the following year (30 Sept 1845 - Deeds Register Book 7D 725).
According to contemporary sketch plans Selwyn established his temporary
St John's College and a landing place at the north western corner of
allotment 33 where this site is located. It is possible that the field tiles
could relate to a structure he built. Although the track that exposes the
field tiles must be later than the tiles, there are several tracks in the vicinity
of the site that may possibly be tracks shown in the various sketches and
plans of the settlement at Selwyn's Landing. However, there are also tracks
that will relate to later farming and to the construction of the railway. It is
hard to see which might correspond with the original Selwyn settlement
tracks. At the northern tip of the headland there is a square pit cut into the
top of the bank. It measures 2 m square. It is flat-bottomed, 1.5 m deep at
its southern side and 0.6 m deep at its northern edge. There is wellestablished vegetation growing in it but it does not appear to be
particularly old and its purpose is unclear.
Recorded 2003. Possible pit(s). Relocated December 2015, status as an
archaeological site needs to be established.
Recorded 2010. Shell midden exposed in section and eroding at top of
scarp above the railway line, southern side. 3.0 m long, up to 0.10 m deep
in dark brown topsoil. Relocated December 2015, the site has been
affected by recent fencing but probing indicated the remaining site does
not extend as far as the proposed cycleway.
Recorded 2015. Shell exposed in creek edge. A surface shell scatter runs
south from the creek. Probing indicated that subsurface shell was present
inland up to the edge of the constructed railway embankment and might
extend beneath the fill. Probing suggested the site extended at least 20-25
m E-W, although access was limited by dense scrub along this part of the
creek. GR given is approximately in the middle of the site.
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FIG. 2. LOCATIONS OF RECORDED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF PUREWA CREEK. Only sites close to the cycleway route and considered to be
potentially at risk are labelled with their NZAA site numbers in a larger font.
(after Archsite February 2016)
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3.0 HISTORY
The first land sale the Europeans on the Auckland isthmus was the land acquired by
Governor Hobson from Ngati Whatua for the new capital, the Mataharehare Opou and
Whau Block in October 1841. This was followed by Crown acquisition of the
Kohimarama block from Ngati Paoa on 29th July 1841 (Turton 1887a: Deed 207 and
see Fig. 3). Subsequent Crown purchases in the early 1840s were the Waitemata to
Manukau Block (June 1841) and the Manukau Block (September 1842) from Ngati
Whatua. After these sales, the land that remained in Ngati Whatua ownership was the
Orakei Block and the lands between Hobson Bay, Remuera Road and Newmarket.
These lands were an area reserved by Ngati Whatua for their own use and originally
were not intended for sale. An exception to this was the Pukapuka block which
Apihai Te Kawau had gifted to Ngati Mahuta chief and brother of Potatau, Kati Te
Wherowhero, as “his place of abode.” (Stone 2001: 291). The eastern portion of
section 2 lies within the Kohimarama Block and the western part of section 2 is within
the original Pukapuka No. 2 Block where it runs along the southern side of Purewa
creek towards the Orakei Basin (Fig. 4.). The terminus of section 3 is in the Pukapuka
No. 1 Block.
FIG. 3. DETAIL FROM ROLL PLAN 35 SHOWING THE KOHIMARAMA BLOCK (DEED 207)
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FIG. 4. DEED 235: PUKAPUKA NO. 2
BLOCK. North is towards the bottom of the
plan
(Turton 1877b)
Within the Kohimarama Block the walk/cycleway runs through allotments 33 to 36
and 38A, District of Tamaki (Fig 5.). Allotments 33 to 36, totalling some 406 acres,
were first bought at Crown auction by John Guilding in 1842 (Deeds Register 1G 299,
1G 301, 1G 303, 1G 305). Guilding also purchased allotments 34 and 35 at the same
time. In April 1844 Guilding sold the whole of his Tamaki holdings to Frederick
Whitaker for £600 (Fig. 6.). In May of the same year Whitaker sold the part of
allotment 33 that lay on the north side of Purewa Creek (Fig. 7: 35 acres) to John
MacRitchie for £90 (Deeds 1D 49). On 17 October of the same year Whitaker sold
the remaining part of his West Tamaki lands to Bishop Selwyn for £428/10/- (Deeds
Register 1D 64: Fig. 8.). The money Selwyn used came from a £600 Legacy left to
him by Thomas Whytehead who had died at Waimate Mission Station in 1843 at the
age of 28. Whytehead had been an outstanding scholar at Selwyn’s own College in
Cambridge and had accompanied Selwyn to New Zealand to act as an assistant
(Davidson 1993: 18). Selwyn used the legacy to purchase Whitaker’s property as well
as 94 acres of Crown Grant land, including allotments 38A, on the southern side of the
creek, and 39A on the northern side (30 September 1845: Deeds Register 7D 723 and
725). He also acquired various parcels from private owners, including MacRitchie’s
35 acres of allotment 33 (21 October 1845: Deeds Register 1D 105), eventually
extending his land holdings to some 1300 acres. This land was conveyed to the St
John’s College Trust Board in August 1859 (Deeds Register 26M 655). Fig. 9 shows
the lands transferred to the Trust at that time.
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FIG. 5. DETAIL FROM SO 814 SHOWING ALLOTMENTS 33 TO 36, PURCHASED BY JOHN GUILDING
FIG. 6. DEEDS PLAN SHOWING ALLOTMENTS 33,
34, 35 AND 36 SOLD TO WHITAKER IN APRIL 1844
(Deeds Register 1D 48)
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FIG. 7. DEEDS PLAN SHOWING THE 35 ACRES OF ALLOTMENT
33 SOLD TO JOHN MACRITCHIE IN MAY 1844
(Deeds Register1D 50)
FIG. 8. DEEDS PLAN SHOWING
THE ALLOTMENTS PURCHASED BY
BISHOP SELWYN IN OCTOBER
1844. The 35 acres belonging to
MacRitchie that was not part of the
sale is marked with his name
(Deeds Register 1D 64)
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FIG. 9. LAND ACQUIRED BY BISHOP SELWYN AND TRANSFERRED TO THE ST JOHN’S COLLEGE
TRUST IN 1859
(Deeds Register 26M 656)
Throughout the latter half of the 19th century and into the 20th century the Deeds for
the allotments owned by the Trust record many and successive leases by the Trust to
various farmers. These limited funds were used to support the purposes of the Trust.
After WWII there was considerable growth in the eastern suburbs of Auckland and the
Trust began to develop their previously “marginal agricultural land” as both freehold
and leasehold residential lots (Davidson 1993: 212).
The Pukapuka No. 2 Block was sold to the Crown by Paora Tuhaere on the 22 March
1854 (Turton 1877a: 291, Deed 235) and was described as:
“The Boundaries are these, on the East by the Government line on the North by the Creek
of the Pukapuka. On the West by a branch of the Pukapuka Creek being the Government
boundary of the land as sold by the Hira to the Queen on the South by the Government line
that is the cart road to St. John's College and to the Tamaki.”
The Crown created a 103-acre Native Reserve in the block (Fig. 10.), Section 220,
Suburbs of Auckland 16. This was the northern part of the block. A European title
(Crown Grant) was issued to Paora Tuhaere in January 1864 (Deeds Register 6G 945)
under the Crown Grants Act (2) 1862. Under this Act there were no restrictions on
sale of the property as there then were with land held in native title.
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Tuhaere leased the property to Thomas Cheeseman in February the same year. In
September 1868 Cheeseman purchased title to the whole of Section 220 for £700
(Deeds Register 22D 648). In June 1876 Cheeseman sold it to Henry John Burnham
Sellers for £3150 (28D 703) and Sellers on-sold it to Thomas Morrin in October
(Deeds Register 21M 450).
The rest of the Pukapuka No 2 block had been subdivided into small lots after the
Crown purchase and sold to a number of purchasers in the late 1850s and early 1860s
(Fig. 11.).
FIG. 10. SO 1330C SHOWING THE PUREWA NATIVE RESERVE (DECEMBER 1862). The plan
shows the eastern ¼ of the reserve as “scrub”, “ti tree” and “manuka” with the larger, western part,
labelled as “clearing”.
All the allotments in this part of the block, excepting 166, were acquired by Thomas Morrin
between 1868 and 1873. He named the whole estate Meadowbank after his family’s farm
near Montreal in Canada (Carlyon and Morrow 2011: 114) from where he and his brother
Samuel had come to New Zealand in 1865.
Thomas and Samuel were merchants who acquired numerous properties in Auckland and
elsewhere and they were also the founders of the township of Morrinsville in the Waikato.2
Thomas was the president of the Auckland Racing Club for many years. In February 1877
Thomas Morrin sold the Meadowbank property to John Mains (21M 662), who renamed
2
Thomas and Samuel purchased some 20,908 acres in the Waikato and Morrinsville was originally laid
out to provide homes for his workers (AWHJ 1972: 3). It became a township in 1908.
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FIG. 11. SO PLAN 1181 SHOWING THE CROWN SUBDIVISION OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE
PUKAPUKA NO 2 BLOCK. The original Crown grantees are shown for each allotment. Allotment 166,
the only allotment not eventually acquired by Thomas Morrin, is that labelled D. Snodgrass.
the property “Sunnybank”. However, in July 1880, Mains, unable to meet his
commitments, returned ownership of the property to Thomas and Samuel Morrin (Deeds
Register 32M 357), who re-established the Meadowbank name.3 In 1883 the estate was
sold to the NZ Stud and Pedigree Stock Co. Ltd (Deeds Register R17 745), a company
founded by Thomas Morrin and of which he was a substantial shareholder. In 1886 this
company ran into financial difficulties and “the affairs of the said Pedigree Stock Company
having become greatly embarrassed it has been agreed that the said Thomas and Samuel
3
Samuel Morrin died in 1886.
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Morrin should release their mortgages and take back the properties.” (R17/747: Deed
99856). Over the next few years Thomas Morrin took out a number of mortgages
over the property. In the late 1880s and early 1890s New Zealand went through a
depression and many prominent businessmen ran into financial difficulties. Amongst
them was Thomas Morrin who petitioned the Courts for bankruptcy in 1889
(Auckland Star 26 June 1889).4 In 1894 ownership of the Meadowbank property
formally passed to the Bank of New Zealand (Deeds Register R49 67).
In 1906 the property was subdivided into 32 lots of varying sizes and sold at auction by the
Bank’s Assets Realisation board (Fig. 12.). Fig. 13 is a newspaper advertisement for the
auction of the 32 lots into which the estate had been subdivided.
FIG. 12. DP 2708 (1906): SUBDIVISION PLAN OF THE MEADOWBANK ESTATE. The plan is based on a
survey undertaken in 1896. Note that allotment 166 is not part of the subdivided estate.
4
Morrin survived his bankruptcy, becoming director of several firms and running a pedigree stock farm
at his Mt Wellington home. However, he was later accused of fraud and fled the country just ahead of
the police, returning to Canada in 1905 where he died in 1915 (Auckland Star 26 November 1915).
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FIG. 13. NEWSPAPER ADVERITSEMENT FOR THE
SALE OF THE MEADOWBANK ESTATE BY THE BNZ
ASSETS REALISATION BOARD. All the lots were sold
but, despite the enticing advertising, few were built on
and the area remained largely rural until after WWII.
(Auckland Star 9 March 1906)
The next major change in the area was the creation of the Auckland to Westfield
railway across the Orakei Basin and along Purewa Creek in the 1920s. In 1920 land
on the southern side of Purewa Creek was acquired to build the railway (Figs 14 and
15.). Despite the 1906 subdivision, the remainder of the area remained rural as can be
seen in the 1931 photograph reproduced as Fig. 16.
Despite the 1906 subdivision, the area remained farmland as can be seen in the 1931
photograph included here as Fig. 16. It looks across Purewa Creek from Kepa Road.
The northern part of the Pukapuka No. 2 Block by Purewa Creek was first subdivided
into residential sections in 1947 (Figs 17 and 18.).
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FIG. 14. SO PLAN 21189 (3) SHOWING LAND TO BE TAKEN FOR THE AUCKLAND - WESTFIELD
RAILWAY (1920)
FIG. 15. SO PLAN 21189(4) SHOWING LAND TO BE TAKEN FOR THE AUCKLAND - WESTFIELD
RAILWAY (1920)
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FIG. 16. LOOKING ACROSS PUREWA CREEK FROM KEPA ROAD, 1931. At the time this photograph
was taken the area was mostly being leased by Chinese market gardeners (Carlyon and Morrow 2011:
115).
(Auckland Libraries, Sir George Grey Special Collections, A-4506)
FIG. 17. DP 41497
SHOWING 1947
SUBDIVISION PLAN
FOR THE WESTERN
PART OF THE
PUKAPUKA NO. 2
BLOCK NORTH OF
MEADOWBANK
ROAD. The
subdivision is made
up from Pt lots 55, 56,
57 and 58 DP 2708
(Fig. 12, above).
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FIG. 18. DP 41497 SHOWING 1947 SUBDIVISION PLAN FOR THE WESTERN PART OF THE PUKAPUKA
NO. 2 BLOCK NORTH OF MEADOWBANK ROAD.
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The end of the Orakei Peninsula where section 3 of the walk/cycleway terminates was part
of the Remuera Block. This block (Fig. 19.) was purchased by the Crown at the end of
1854 or early in 1855. Alemann (1992: 128) notes that Turton (1877a) lists no deed for this
land. Neither is any other information available from LINZ. Alemann (1992: 128) refers to
correspondence in Turton (1883) where the Native Secretary, H.T. Kemp, reports that the
native owners (not named) were asking for £5,000 for this block (470 acres) in December
1854. He suggested that a purchase might be possible for between £1,500 and £1,800. In
February 1855 he reported that a successful purchase had been made for £2,000.
Whilst most of the Remuera block was rapidly sold by the Crown, the portion on the Orakei
peninsula was retained by the Crown. A plan held by Auckland Libraries shows the
Remuera block and the allotments for sale. Purchaser’s names have been added to some
allotments. A detail from this plan showing the Orakei Peninsula is shown in Fig. 20. The
whole of the peninsula is shown as a “Sheep quarantine Reserve”.
FIG. 19. SO 669, REMUERA
BLOCK
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FIG. 20. DETAIL OF 1860S PLAN SHOWING RESERVE ON ORAKEI POINT
(Auckland Libraries, Sir George Grey Special Collections, NZMap 4204)
In 1872, with the exception of lots 208-212 (see Fig. 21.), a Crown Grant was issued
for the peninsula to the Superintendant of the Auckland Province for “educational
purposes”. In 1923 all of the northern half of the peninsula (north of 215 Orakei
Road) was taken for the construction of the railway (Fig. 22.). The railway was
completed in 1929. This land was retained by the railways department but in 1971 the
strip around the basin (Allotment 286 Suburbs of Auckland 16) was transferred to the
Auckland City Council. Until 1932 Orakei Road ran along the high ridge of the
peninsula (as shown in Fig. 21.). Land was taken for the present more westerly road
alignment, alongside Hobson Bay, in 1932 and the old road alignment incorporated
into the reserve in 1933.
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FIG. 21. ORAKEI PENINSULA, 1892. This plan
shows the road alignment before it was altered
to its present location in 1932.
(Detail from L & S Dept plan “County of Eden
Sheet 4”, Auckland Libraries, Sir George Grey
Special Collections, NZ Map 4658)
FIG. 22. SO 21189 (2) SHOWING AREA OF ORAKEI PENINSULA TAKEN FOR THE AUCKLAND –
WESTFIELD RAILWAY
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3.1 Selwyn’s Landing
A significant historic place that has not been entered into the archaeological record as a
specific site is the landing place in Purewa Creek.5 Bishop Selwyn originally set up a
training establishment at the Church Missionary Station at Te Waimate (20 km from
Paihia in the Bay of Islands). This proved untenable and he transferred his interest to
Auckland to build a new establishment. The site he chose was the high point of the
land he purchased from Whittaker with splendid views over the harbour, where St
Johns College still stands. Initially he set up a temporary site at his landing in Purewa
Creek. (Fig. 23.).
The settlement, consisting of tents, raupo houses and a large wooden barn used as a
school room and chapel. Some 100 people lived there for some two years before
permanent buildings were constructed at the St John’s site. After the move some of
the buildings were used as overflow accommodation and some were leased out
(Bulmer 1982). Cotton also produced a sketch showing the layout of the temporary
settlement at the Creek (Fig. 24.)
FIG. 23. “MAP OF THE COUNTRY ABOUT BISHOP’S AUCKLAND”. This map marks the ‘Landing Place’
at the boundary of allotments 38A and 33.
(Cotton Journals, Dixon Library, State Library of New South Wales, reproduced in Davidson 1993)
5
Elements of the historic landing site are included in the site record for R11/2260.
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FIG. 24. COTTON’S SKETCH SHOWING THE BISHOP SELWYN’S TEMPORARY SETTLEMENT AT
PUREWA. The track referred to in the site record for R11/2260 could quite easily be that shown in this
sketch.
(Cotton Journals, Dixon Library, State Library of New South Wales3)
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4.0 REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULING
No archaeological sites in the vicinity of sections 2 and 3 of the proposed
walk/cycleway are identified in HNZPT’s List/Rārangi Kōrero. No archaeological
sites in the area are scheduled in the Auckland City District Plan (isthmus). The
proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP) identifies the recorded archaeological sites
along the route as sites of value to mana whenua in the PAUP’s Appendix 4.2 as
follows: 895 = R11/1155, 901 = R11/1605, 1467 = R11/1196, 2169 = R11/1941, 2170
= R11/1942, 2561 = R11/2258, 2562 = R11/2259, 2563 = R11/2260, 2845 =
R11/2276, 3501 = R11/2536 and 3502 = R11/2667).
Fig. 25 shows the PAUP heritage overlay with the various sites identified by their
PAUP heritage listing.
FIG. 25. PAUP HERITAGE OVERLAY, PUREWA CREEK
5.0 PROPOSED WORKS
Plans showing the proposed route are provided in Appendix II. There is a 50 m
change in height from St Johns Road west to the head of the creek. Construction will
require a pathway with an appropriate grade for cyclists (no more than 8%), is needed
requiring that it be built to achieve desirable maximum gradient of 1:20 (5%) on
straight sections and, where gradients of 5% cannot be met, a maximum gradient of
1:12 (8%) for short lengths.
Key features of the proposed walk/cycleway are:







The path will be around four metres wide and constructed mostly in concrete.
The path will be safe and convenient for use by people on foot or on bike.
Good lighting will extend hours of access, particularly during winter months.
The route’s geography is hilly in places, but the design of the path will keep
gradients as low as possible.
The path design will link into local communities and the project will identify
future links that could be built at a later date.
The path will connect communities with public transport along the route.
Widening the existing Orakei Basin boardwalk to 4.5 m, resurfacing and
provision of a handrail suitable for use of the boardwalk by cyclists.
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6.0
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
6.1 Methodology
The route of the proposed walk/cycleway was walked from St Johns Road to the Orakei
Basin. The first section (see Fig. 26.) runs through paddocks used by the local pony club
and are open grassland. The route here was walked and probing undertaken along the
route.
After descending from St Johns Road the route crosses to the south side of Purewa Creek
to follow its bank to Orakei Station. This part of the route runs through dense scrub.
Sites in this area were relocated, as much as possible, and additional probing undertaken
to try to identify any additional sites that had not been recorded.
6.2 Results
Section 2: Fig. 26 shows the eastern end of the proposed route. Survey did not locate any
archaeological evidence on the route as far as the creek. However, a sparse
scattering of shell was noted in a paddock close to the proposed route (Figs 26 and
28.). There was no indication that any in situ shell was nearby. The quantity of
shell was such that it could easily have been brought to the location on muddy
hooves and it cannot be determined originally came from an archaeological site.
FIG. 26. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING THE PROPOSED WALK/CYCLEWAY RUNNING EAST FROM
ST JOHNS ROAD. The nearby shell scatter is marked by the GPS point.
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FIG. 27. SHELL SCATTER TOWARDS TO EASTERN END OF SECTION 2 OF THE GLEN INNES TO TAMAKI
DRIVE WALK/CYCLEWAY. The spade is there to provide a scale.
Prior to this assessment archaeological site R11/1196 was recorded very close to
the route. However, evaluation of the information in the original record
demonstrated that the recorded location was not correct. The site, possible
terraces, had actually been further to the north and is now covered by fill and
presumably destroyed. The NZAA archaeological record has been updated to
show the correct location near the end of John Rhymer Place, 100 m from the
route. The PAUP record has not been updated.
The sites along the south side of Purewa Creek are shown in Fig. 28. This is an
aerial photograph with the GPS points recorded at each site marked. At sites
R11/2258, 2259, 2260 and 3015 each site is surrounded by a circle with a diameter
of approximately 20 m. This does not indicate the extent of the various sites.
Rather it is an error margin as hand-held GPS plotting in dense scrub, as here, can
easily be up to 10 m out. However, the plotted point for each site will lie within the
circle. At site R11/2260 the site occupies the peninsula between the field tile
(marked) and the tip at the creek.
Site locations for R11/1605 and R11/2276 are correct, although in the case of the
former it is known that subsurface shell extends into the proposed path’s alignment.
Site R11/2536 is not illustrated. However, probing around this site when it was first
recorded indicated that it did not extend as far as the proposed walk/cycleway
location. The status of R11/2276 is uncertain. It may not be a genuine
archaeological site as its location and form are not quite what might be expected.
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FIG. 28. GPS LOCATIONS FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ALONG THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF PUREWA CREEK
Notes:
Sites R11/2258, 2259, 2260 and 3051 have a circle of 20 m diameter around each. This is to allow for an error margin of up to 8 m for each point. The circle is not a buffer. Site
R11/3051, for example extends from the railway embankment to the creek edge.
Sites R11/1605 and 2276 have a 10 m diameter circle around them where thee is a lesser error margin.
The GPS point at R11/2260 is for visible field tiles towards the southern part of the site. The whole site occupies the peninsula north of the GPS point.
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The greater part of the 19th century settlement at Selwyn’s landing would have been
within the modern cemetery where it is likely to have been destroyed by the
extensive earthmoving that is evident from aerial photography. The construction of
the railway in the 1920s would also have contributed to the destruction of the
remains of the settlement. However it is till possible that evidence associated with
this settlement could be encountered during any earthworks near this location.
The assessment undertaken could not be as thorough as one might prefer. The
dense scrub made it essentially impossible to accurately record the extent of any
site. Hence it is possible, and maybe likely, that further archaeological sites or
evidence that was not encountered during the current assessment may be present in
the scrub area. Further assessment will be needed when areas of vegetation along
the southern side of Purewa Creek have been cleared to allow full access to the
affected areas.
Section 3: for this section it is propose to widen the existing boardwalk that parallels the
railway embankment on its southern side. There are no archaeological constraints.
The eastern approach from the Purewa Road end is highly modified and at the
terminus of the route section at Orakei Road that area has been substantially
modified and no archaeological evidence is likely to be present.
6.3 Archaeological values and significance
The Purewa Creek contains a number of known archaeological sites (see Fig. 2,
above). Whilst a number of the sites on the northern side of the creek are in areas of
limited development (e.g. Pourewa Reserve and Kepa Bush) where sub-surface
archaeological evidence of the known sites could still be present, the generally steeper
slopes above the creek limit the opportunity for creek-side occupation. In contrast on
the southern side the comparatively flatter contours provide space for occupation sites
close to the stream. However, on the southern side the recorded sites away from the
stream (largely recorded in Purewa Cemetery) are largely remnant patches of
disturbed shell that have survived the extensive modification of the cemetery over the
years. Outside the cemetery ridges have been lowered and gullies filled to make way
for the present subdivisions. It is doubtful that any significant archaeological
evidence of Maori occupation could have survived, although site R11/1605 may, like
the sites closer to the stream, have associated subsurface evidence surviving.
This site and the small number of sites between the railway and the creek are
important representatives of the Maori occupation of the Auckland isthmus and the
eastern suburbs in particular. As such, although not unusual as a type of site, have
high value as the last cluster of sites on the southern side of the creek that have not
been largely or entirely destroyed and where subsurface evidence of the sites is likely
to have survived.
With regard to evidence of historic archaeological sites is a possibility that evidence
associated with the Landing might be encountered but it is probable that the most
significant parts of the settlement have already been destroyed by the cemetery and
railway line. Thus the historic values of the area are relatively low.
In the following table the heritage values of the sites are assessed according to the
criteria set out in the PAUP.
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TABLE 2. PAUP HERITAGE EVALUATION ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, SOUTHERN SIDE OF PUREWA
CREEK
CRITERIA
Historical
COMMENT
EVALUATION
The place reflects important or
representative aspects of national,
regional or local history, or is associated
with an important event, person, group
of people or idea or early period of
settlement within the nation, region or
locality
The midden sites along the creek High
represent Maori occupation of the area
to the south of the creek where sites
further from the creek edges have
largely been destroyed
Social
The Place has a strong or special
association with, or is held in high
esteem by, a particular community or
cultural group for its symbolic, spiritual,
commemorative or other cultural value.
None
Tangata
whenua
The place has a strong or special
association with, or is held in high
esteem by, tangata whenua for its
symbolic, spiritual, commemorative or
other cultural value.
The area and its surviving
archaeological sites are likely to have
strong associations for several
Auckland iwi.
-
Knowledge
The place has a potential to provide
knowledge through scientific or
scholarly study or to contribute to an
understanding of the cultural or natural
history of the nation, region or locality
Moderately high
Technology
The place demonstrates technical
accomplishment,
innovation
or
achievement
in
its
structure,
construction, components or use of
materials.
Research into the archaeology of the
sites could provide important
evidence about past Maori use of the
Creek and its environs. There is a
lesser possibility of information about
early European occupation being
present.
The sites here do not appear to
represent any particular technical
achievement or innovation.
Physical
attributes
The place is a notable or representative
example of a type, design or style,
method of construction, craftsmanship
or use of materials or the work of a
notable architect, design engineer or
builder.
There would not appear to be any
particularly significant physical
attributes associated with the creek
area
Moderate
Aesthetic
The place is notable or distinctive for its
aesthetic, visual or landmark qualities
The creek bank is overgrown with
weeds.
None
Context
The Place contributes to or is associated
with a wider historical and cultural
context,
streetscape,
townscape,
landscape or setting.
The context of the sites here are the
Maori settlement and occupation of
the wider isthmus area and also
historical associations to the
development of St John’s College.
Moderate
Selwyn’s Landing represents an
important part of the history both of
Auckland and the Anglican Church
in New Zealand.
None known
Low
HNZPT also has criteria for assessing the archaeological value of sites. Evaluation by
these criteria is provided in Table 3.
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TABLE 3.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Condition
Archaeological sites R11/1605, 2258, 2259, 2260 and 3051 all appear to be
similar condition and all are judged likely to have associated subsurface
evidence of occupation associated with them.
Unusual, Rare or Unique
The site types here are neither unusual rare or unique. Selwyn’s Landing may
well belong in one or either of the latter two types, but it is expected that most
significant evidence associated with the landing settlement lies outside the area
of likely works and has already been destroyed
Contextual Value
The sites relate to Maori occupation of the Eastern suburbs with the minor
addition of some evidence of early European settlement.
Information Potential
The sites have potential to provide evidence of the Maori occupation of the area
and possibly some evidence relating to early European settlement in the area.
Amenity Value:
None
Cultural Associations
Auckland iwi and 19th century European settlement
6.4 Assessment of Effects
HZNPT requires that all efforts be made to avoid any damage to any archaeological
site before it will consider issuing an Authority under the archaeological provisions of
the HNZPTA. In the case of section 2 of this project it is clear that there will be an
impact that will require an Authority. Table 4 sets out the possible effects as far as is
known. However, as noted in section 6.2, above, the survey of the areas in scrub was
limited and it is not possible to say with confidence what the full or likely extent of
each site might be, nor is there confidence that all areas where archaeological
evidence is present have been identified. In addition the final preferred design is not
available. When it is there may be opportunities for redesign to avoid sites or
minimise the effects to a degree that will satisfy HNZPT requirements.
TABLE 4. POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON
RECORDED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, PUREWA CREEK
NZAA SITE
NO.
SITE
TYPE
R11/1605
Midden
This site can be easily avoided by rerouting of the path further to the south
east. This may create some difficulty in achieving the desired grade.
R11/2258
Midden
R11/2259
Midden
R11/2260
Midden
+ historic
features
This site appears to be away from the route but this needs to be confirmed
when the extent of works is known.
There would appear to be a probable adverse impact on the site. This
needs to be confirmed and avoidance techniques considered (e.g. minor
route realignment/use of boardwalk etc)
The route appears to avoid the midden, but this needs to be confirmed
when the extent of works is known. Whether any evidence of historic
occupation will be encountered is unknown and if discovered will need to
be mitigated during the construction works
Continued on next page
R11/2276
Pit
EFFECT
The archaeological status of this site is questionable. It cannot be avoided
by the proposed works. It will be necessary to confirm its status (this will
require a specific Authority from HNZPT) so that its significance (if it is
an archaeological site) may be determined.
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R11/2536
Midden
This site is eroding from the edge of the railway cutting. As far as can be
established the remaining site should not be affected.
R11/3051
Midden
This site extends from the railway line to the shoreline. Although the
structure for the cycleway here is a bridge it would seem unlikely that
impact on the site can be completely avoided. The design at this point will
need careful consideration to minimise any impact.
7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
1. This report is concerned with archaeological values alone. Mana whenua will
need to be consulted about any other traditional or cultural concerns they may
have with the project.
2. An Authority under the archaeological provisions of the HNZPTA will be required
for construction along the proposed section 2 route.
3. There are no archaeological constraints associated with the construction of
section 3.
4. Additional archaeological assessment needs to be undertaken at a time when the
full extent of works has been established. This should include hand vegetation
clearance of any affected area between and including sites R11/2260 and
R11/3015.
5. When this information is available the route design should be adjusted if possible
to avoid/minimise impact (s) on any archaeological site.
6. The route at site R11/1605 should be adjusted to avoid any impact on the
archaeological site.
7. Consent should be obtained from HNZPT to investigate the archaeological status
of site R11/2276 to determine if it is an archaeological site and if so, its
significance.
8.0 REFERENCES
Alemann, M. 1997 Early Land Transactions in the Ngatiwhatua Tribal Area. Unpub. M.A.
Thesis, Maori Studies Department, University of Auckland.
AWHJ 1972 Origins of Morrinsville. Auckland-Waikato Historical Journal 20: 2-4.
Bulmer, A. 1982 Historic archaeological sites in the Auckland City Council area.
Unpub. report, NZ Historic Places Trust, Auckland 1982/5.
Carlyon, J. and D. Morrow 2011 A Fine Prospect. A History of Remuera,
Meadowbank and St Johns. Auckland, Random House.
Davidson, A.K. 1993 Selwyn’s Legacy. The College of St John the Evangelist, Te Waimate
and Auckland 1843-1992. Auckland, The College of St John the Evangelist.
Jackson, E 1976 Delving into the past of Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs. Section 3
Meadowbank. Auckland, E.T. Jackson.
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Archaeological Assessment
Platts, U. 1971 The Lively Capital. Auckland 1840-1865. Christchurch, Avon Fine
Prints.
Stone, R.C.J. 2001 From Tamaki-Makau-Rau to Auckland. Auckland, Auckland
University Press.
Turton, H. 1877a Maori Deeds of Land Purchases in the North Island of New
Zealand. (Copied from the Originals.) In two Volumes. Vol. I. Province of
Auckland. Wellington, George Didsbury, Government Printer.
Turton, H. 1877b Plans Of Land Purchases In the North Island of New Zealand.
(copied from the originals.) In two Volumes. Vol. I. Province of Auckland.
Wellington. George Didsbury, Government Printer.
Turton, H. 1877 Maori Deeds of Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand.
(Copied from the Originals.) In two Volumes. Vol. I. Province of Auckland. Wellington,
George Didsbury, Government Printer.
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