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Image source: www.historic.org.nz
A Ngā Rauru kaumatua is alarmed that people have been digging up a kūmara pit at an old pā site near Whanganui, possibly to look for artefacts.
Potonga Neilson spotted the damage when the hapū went to the Ngā Wai E Rua reserve north of Kai Iwi to record kōrero about the pā, which featured in battles with Hongi Hika and Te Rauparaha.
He says its likely ancestors were buried in the kūmara pits after the pā was abandoned.
Ngāti Aokehu and Ngāti Tahau hapū intend to clean up the site and signpost it to deter further excavation.
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