Tawhiti Rahi Island (rear) in the Poor Knights group was inhabited by pre-European Maori. Photo / Northern Advocate

Tawhiti Rahi Island (rear) in the Poor Knights group was inhabited by pre-European Maori. Photo / Northern Advocate

A New Zealand archaeologist has uncovered an untouched "time capsule" of Maori life almost 200 years ago.

The remains have lain hidden beneath the impenetrable undergrowth of the Poor Knights' northern island, Tawhiti Rahi, since December 16, 1823.

On that day, or in the few days prior, a raiding party from Northland's Hikutu hapu landed at the island's only safe landing spot - choosing a time when the island's Ngatiwai iwi chief and men were off on their own raid.

The island fell, its inhabitants massacred, and was barely ever set foot on again.

That created what is known as a "Pompeii premise" - where an archaeological landscape is left intact.

While the Poor Knights' southern island, Aorangi, has long been known as the home to a permanent pre-European Maori population, Tawhiti Rahi was believed to be little more than a seasonal camp. It had until now escaped detailed examination because of its difficult access.

But Otago University archaeologist James Robinson and his team spent 12 weeks over the past three years combing its landscape.

He will reveal his findings at the New Zealand Archaeological Society conference on June 4, before presenting it at the World Archaeology Congress in Dublin on June 29.

Lying about 24km off the east coast of Northland and protected by 100m sheer cliffs, the island is now home to tuataras and more than 700,000 birds and is surrounded by a world-famous marine reserve.

Speaking to the Herald from Dunedin, Mr Robinson said the island was also home to one of the clearest history lessons on late-Maori settlement ever found in New Zealand .

"Essentially, it's what Captain Cook saw when he arrived in New Zealand. The island is covered with archaeological features. There's very few areas that don't have something."

The limited research done to date concluded that the island was subservient to neighbouring Aorangi, but Mr Robinson said it was now almost certain Tawhiti Rahi was the Poor Knights' main population base.

Despite the existence of whalers during the latter part of the island's occupation, Mr Robinson and his team found no glass, ceramic or metal artefacts - indicating the island's community led a very traditional life, largely free of Pakeha involvement.

Tawhiti Rahi provided abundant amounts of muttonbird, had ample fresh water and significant fish numbers - with the East Auckland current that sweeps past the island providing an extremely high fish mass.