Tapuinikau Pa Historic Reserve

This pa was a 'major citadel' of several sections of the Taranaki tribe in the early 19th Century. The main part is on the now heavily bushed western end. Along the ridge there are two other defended hilltops.

Some archaeology has been conducted here, especially during the drainage of the Kiakia swamp to the north in 1976. Some wooden artefacts found at that time are kept at Puke Ariki.

The pa site is described in detail by THIS Department of Conservation mapping study. According to the study, the flax plants, which may seem everyday, are actually descendants of sacred flax bushes which were planted on the summit of the hill with some ceremony. A carved stone kept upon the summit also used to be used for tangi and other ceremonies right into the 20th century, but is now missing. The bush cover upon the site is thought to be preserving what is left of the pa.

(There is a right of way from the road down to the river at the western end of the pa site)