Kaiapohia Monument - Kaiapoi Pa

In 1898 a striking monument was erected on the surviving earthworks of one of the greatest Ngai Tahu pa, a centre of trade in greenstone brought over from the West Coast. The pa was sacked by the North Island chief Te Rauparaha in 1831 and is the most important site in the dramatic conflict between Ngai Tahu and Ngati Toa which dominated South Island history in the 1820s and 1830s. The pa was surrounded on three sides by deep swamp giving canoe access to a lagoon on the river, which is now called the Ashley but the Ngai Tahu name was Rakahuri. Listen to the audio guide for more on this story.