Ancient artefacts found at Domain

BAY archaeologists believe they have uncovered the remains of an ancient Maori settlement and military sites dating from the 1860s at Tauranga Domain during earthworks to build the new athletics track.
An archeologist will begin excavating the sites next Thursday, though the discovery could set construction of the $1.5 million all-weather track back by one month.
Ken Phillips will further explore Maori middens and what appears to be a military trench and artefacts such as ceramic items, rifle pits and redoubts (small forts), which were uncovered when about 30cm of soil was removed from the surface of the existing track.
He estimates the excavation - carried out by himself and two or three other archaeologists
- will take about a week.
"We know we'll find pre-historic Maori features. We're hoping to find some parts of the military camp," Mr Phillips said, predicting latrines could be among the finds.
"We don't get too many opportunities to excavate military sites in Tauranga," said Mr Phillips. "They can be fascinating to dig up."
Tauranga historian Jinty Rorke said she was not surprised by the discovery of the archaeological sites, considering the closeness of the land to the Mission Station in the early 1800s.
"It would be very interesting. Anything archaeological helps people understand how the settlement developed," said Mrs Rorke.
Tauranga Historic Places Trust regional archaeologist Rachel Darmody described the discovery of the sites as "exciting".
But at the same time she said the situation highlighted the need for people to apply for authority from the Historic Places Trust prior to the commencement of work to avoid delays.
Securing authority to modify, damage or destroy possible unrecorded archaeological features during earthworks will delay completion of the track by about a month until late February 2008, track builder Joe Hoekstra estimates.
The new completion date now falls just two weeks prior to the start of the rugby season at Tauranga Domain on March 15.
Mr Hoekstra said two staff employed by the Italian company Monde to do concreting work had now returned home to Timaru having completed their part of the job.
"What is being held up is the work that forms the foundations of the track," said Mr Hoekstra.
As a result local contractor, Higgins, will re-schedule their work.
While construction had been rescheduled, archaeological excavation could result in extra costs being incurred. As well as being the Bay's first all-weather athletics track, it is also the first of its type to be built in Waikato-Bay of Plenty.
The Mondo Super Flex track boasts two welded layers of natural vulcanised rubber that reduces stress on athletes' bodies and allows a faster energy recovery needed to sustain top performances.
Mr Hoekstra has worked on seven athletics tracks in New Zealand and yesterday travelled to Whangarei to research the building of a new track there.
After 18 years in the business he has worked on tracks for Sydney, Athens and Atlanta Olympic Games. "This track is the same as what will be in the main stadium in Beijing," he said.