600-year-old adze found in road works

A stone adze estimated to be 600-years-old is among the historical artefacts found during the construction of the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) project and now on public display in Papamoa.

The NZ Transport Agency has confirmed that shell middens, hangi stones, china, an old wine bottle and the stone adze, which originates from Nelson, were discovered during the earthworks.

The artefacts are on public display behind a glass cabinet at the TEL Information Centre in Tara Rd.

Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon said the TEL travelled through areas rich in cultural history and early land occupation and finding remnants of history was always exciting.

"To date the adze, or 'Toki Tarai', has been the most significant find; it was found by a worker who was clearing a site near Bruce Rd."

Mr Gliddon said the project team and tangata whenua had been working together and had protocols in place in case koiwi (human bones) or taonga (objects that relate to Maori culture, history or society) were found.

"We understand the importance of the items we find and value our relationship with tangata whenua who are helping us manage the process."

The historical display can be viewed at the TEL Information Centre which is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.

There are also new displays showing the latest TEL construction progress images which are updated each month.

The Tauranga Eastern Link, which is expected to be completed in 2016, is the biggest roading construction project ever undertaken in the Bay of Plenty.

The link is to run from Te Maunga, near Baypark Stadium, to the existing junction of State Highway 2 and State Highway 33 near Paengaroa. It will be made up of 17km of new road and 6km of the existing state highway will be upgraded.