Archaeological investigation at Oihi Bay | Northland News | Local News in Northland

An archaeological investigation at Oihi Bay, site of the earliest permanent European habitation in New Zealand, is revealing some fascinating details of life in the Bay of Islands in a very different era.

The investigation is a joint project between the University of Otago and the Department of Conservation. Kerikeri DOC historic ranger Andrew Blanshard, Otago University professor of archaeology Ian Smith, five of his students, honorary research Fellow Dr Angela Middleton and other DOC staff began the dig on February 7, and plan to pack up at the end of next week.

The pickings have been rich; so far they have discovered numerous writing slates and pencils, a toy cannon, glass beads (commonly used for trade), a bronze bracelet (complete with a clasp still in working order), nails and pieces of ceramic. But the most exciting find as of earlier this week was the fireplace in what they believe to have been New Zealand's first school house.

"The most interesting feature is the fireplace. You know you've got a house when you find a fireplace," Dr Middleton said.

"The clay marble, the toy cannon - immediately you have the sense that there were children here," she added.

Dr Middleton and Professor Smith worked on the dig at the Te Puna site in 2002 (Dr Middleton using research from there for her PhD, Professor Smith recalling gazing over towards Oihi and wishing to one day dig there as well.)

"Every year my lectures consist of Te Puna, and those interactions between Maori and Pakeha," Dr Middleton said.

"Over the past five or six years I have taught about this area and landscape; it's the No. 1 place. A lot of the people that are working here have heard me going on about this place."

Mr Blanshard, who noted that much of the discussion that took place at Waitangi in February 1840 began at Oihi, pointed out a deep hole which clearly showed differing layers, the top layer European cultivation, a middle layer of denser gravel and rocks, and a much deeper layer showing clear signs of burnt (fire-cracked) rock, the result of Maori habitation.

"We have the stories from the missionaries, the oral stories from the local iwi, and with this dig we will uncover further stories of this place," he said.

"All of these stories are what makes this place unique - the first interaction between two cultures."

Meanwhile an open day on Saturday will give visitors a chance to talk to the archaeologists, explore the site and learn about the Oihi Mission Station, the history of the area, and why the research is regarded as so important.

The dig can also be followed by going to the DOC website (www.doc.govt.nz/marsdencrossdig)

**** In the beginning****

The Oihi Mission Station, on the Purerua Peninsula, was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand. It was established by Rev Samuel Marsden, who preached New Zealand's first sermon there in December 1814, under the protection of the chiefs of the adjacent Rangihoua pa.

Oihi was home to some 25 or 30 Europeans, and a place of work and schooling for many Maori. It was also the focal point Maori/European interaction in the Bay of Islands until other locations with better anchorages became more popular with visiting ships in the early 1820s, and other European settlements were established in Kerikeri, Paihia and Kororareka.

Oihi was abandoned in 1832, the last of its missionaries moving about a kilometre to Te Puna.

Church groups and descendant families are now planning a series of celebrations, some of which will take place on the site, to mark the community's bicentennial in 2014. A good deal of work is to be done by the Department of Conservation before then, not only in gathering information but in upgrading tracks, signage and other facilities.