Kororipo Historic Reserve
The pa is a part of a heritage area which includes the Stone Store (1832) and the Missionary Home, Kemp House (1822) all of which coexisted together and form some of the earliest accounts of two different cultures.
Kororipo pa is better known during the time of Chief Hongi Hika. In 1815 Kororipo pa was passed on to Hongi Hika and the mission settlement was established in the basin in 1819. By this time, Hongi had launched his southern wars.
The Kerikeri Basin with Kororipo pa and
kainga in the middle
Kororipo was Hongi's base from where he launched his war expeditions. During the years of 1821-27, the Kerikeri inlet and Kororipo pa was known as Te Waha o te Riri- The Inlet of War.
Prior to the 1820's, Kororipo was maintained as a fishing village by inland Ngapuhi tribes from Waimate. After Hongi's death the pa returned to its former function as a seasonal fishing village.
By 1835, Kororipo appeared to be unoccupied and was brought by James Kemp in 1838.
In the 1960's the kainga (undefended village) was purchased by a property developer who planned to subdivide the area. To save the kainga from subdivision, people formed the Society of the Preservation of the Kerikeri Stone Store Area (SPOKSSA).
SPOKSSA was successful and in the 1970's the Minister for crown lands took over ownership and protection.
Today, the kainga and pa site is represented by numerous visible archaeological features including terraces, pits and a defensive ditch and bank.
Archaeological plan of the pa and kainga
(view larger, JPG, 83K)
DOC's work
In 2009 DOC and Archaeology Solutions Ltd conducted a geophysical survey of the kainga and pa.
A geomagnetic survey measured magnetic anomalies (disturbance) underground. It was found that even though there was damage caused by the bulldozer in the 1960's for the subdivision, fire places are present that represent cooking activities of the former kainga occupants.
On the pa site there was also evidence for the possibility of a row of double palisades surrounding the upper terrace (platform). This indicates the need for added protection from outside forces in one of the pas occupational stages.
Visiting Kororipo pa
This is an easy walk that gives you access to an historically significant pa and good views into the internationally significant Kerikeri Basin.
Getting there
Kororipo pa is at the head of the Kerikeri inlet and stands above the Kerikeri basin. You can get to it by car.
References
The Story of the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park. 1989. Department of Conservation.
Archaeology Solutions Ltd., 2009. Archaeological geomagnetic report, Kororipo pa, Kerikeri. For the Department of Conservation, Bay of Islands area office.
Best, S. 2003. Kerikeri basin national heritage area, archaeological survey. For the Department of Conservation Bay of Islands.
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