Hapu wants diversion after bypass uncovers pa site

Maori want a proposed $12.5 million bypass near New Plymouth diverted to protect a historic pa site at the centre of an important archaeological dig.

Puketapu hapu spokesman Grant Knuckey said there was growing support from the community to preserve the unique site at Bell Block. The site was only discovered once planning began.

Archaeologists are excavating the site, and have described it as of great significance.

"Consideration should be given to protecting the site and there needs to be consideration on the road going around that particular site," Mr Knuckey said.

Transit New Zealand funds the project, which has uncovered thousands of items and the foundations of a large Maori house and gunfighting trenches.

Mr Knuckey acknowledged that if it were not for Transit, the pa site would never have been discovered.

"Our people are amazed by the amounts of finds that they are having and the extent of the fortifications. It [the site] has started to tell its own story."

The site could be used as a tourism venture in attracting visitors to the region, he said.

"There's economic wealth in preserving these places. It's one of the most important finds of the century and could be another major attraction to Taranaki."

Mr Knuckey intended to contact Transit and other interested parties to discuss options.

Transit Wanganui regional manager Errol Christiansen was surprised by the news.

"It's out of left-field," he said last night when told of the Puketapu position. "We'd like further dialogue.

"We share the view that it's a wonderful discovery but there's a formal planning process and we've stuck to the conditions that have been set to date."

Transit had permission from the Historical Places Trust to destroy the field on the condition that it excavated and recorded all artefacts from the site.

The hapu needed to contact the New Plymouth District Council with their concerns, he said.

A council spokesman denied it was a council issue.

- NZPA