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A University of Canterbury maritime history researcher says more traditional Maori landing sites need to be identified and protected because of what they can tell us about ancient trade and settlement.
Dr Rosanne Hawarden is going to a conference in Berlin at Easter to present her research on a waka landing site at Taupo Point on Golden Bay, which she found by close scrutiny of the background of an image of Abel Tasman's 1642 engagement with hostile Maori.
She says there are 26 canoe landing sites in the archaeological record, but many more are unrecorded.
Dr Hawarden says medieval harbours tend to be in stable marine areas.
" Taupo Point is a perfect harbour. It's got 2 bays on each side. It has got freshwater, it's got fish and flat land for people to live on and grow food on. It's a protected harbour even today and the landing site is in the most protected bay which is why we think it has lasted this long. Because it is in the Abel Tasman Park its obviously protected " she says.
Dr Hawarden says she has identified a similar sheltered waka landing site in the boulder bank at Menzies Bay on Banks Peninsula.
An etching of the drawing done on Tasman's voyage comes up for auction in Auckland tomorrow.
FOIR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ROSANNE HARWARDEN
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