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Why are the Stonefields significant for different individuals and/or groups
of people?
Each Expert Group will construct a mini Retrieval Chart, using the following
template to explain why the Stonefields are significant for their group.
| The Stonefields are significant for ... because: | An item of evidence is: |
| Reason 1. | |
| Reason 2. | |
| Reason 3. | |
| |
| | |
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Possible answers include:
Maori: waahi tapu site; contains a mountain that forms part
of their whakapapa; evidence of the lives of their ancestors; descendants of
original people still live nearby and their relationship with their
ancestral lands will be enhanced; important area of settlement for 800 years
and it is all that is left to show how Te Wai O Hua ancestors gardened;
young Maori will be able to see their history and heritage in the area;
Maurice Wilson will finally be able to show his grandchildren a significant
part of their heritage; remnants of a pa; evidence of how sophisticated and
complex Maori agricultural practices were.
Pakeha: first Mission Station on the Manukau built here; settler families
have farmed the land for over 130 years; important agricultural developments
took place here; dry stone walls are special; chance to learn about Maori
agriculture and settlement; last remaining example of stonefields left.
Archaeologists: wide range of archaeological features (earthworks,
stoneworks, midden); only a small area left from 8000 hectares; one of the
few remaining examples of densely settled and cultivated volcanic fields;
rich record of Maori and European settlement that still has to be fully
explored.
Geologists: evidence of volcanic activity in the area; interesting features
such as lava caves and fossilised forest.
Botanists: one of few remaining areas of rock forest; two areas of fossil
forest; areas of wetlands and vegetation will be preserved; small, rare
native cucumber found in the area.
Organisations such as the Manukau City Council, DOC and the ARC: need to
preserve one of the most important cultural and archaeological sites in the
Auckland region; heritage area of international, national and regional
significance; responsibility to protect the region's treasures; part of a
magnificent network of open space; working with tangata whenua in the spirit
of the Treaty of Waitangi.
This material has been produced by UNITEC Institute of Technology
under contract to the Ministry of Education.
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