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An archaeological team is hard at work to extract a partially-constructed waka from mud on the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway route, after its discovery on April 16.
The waka (Maori canoe) is located near the Billings Road access point, at the Okahu inlet, in Puhoi.
New Zealand Transport Agency portfolio manager Mark McKenzie says contractors were excavating the foundations for a motorway flyover when they came across the waka buried under the mud.
It is around 10 metres long and is still attached to the kauri tree it was carved from.
Clough and Associates archaeologist Dr Sarah Phears says the discovery is very exciting and wouldn’t have happened without the motorway project being done.
“It’s not very often you come across a waka and I believe this is the first one to be found only partially constructed,” Dr Phears says.
However, extracting the waka from the mud, so it can be preserved, is a difficult process.
“It’s hard work and we are competing with the tides and rain every day, so there is no time frame on when we will finish.”
She confirmed the waka’s exterior has deteriorated over time, but no damage was done during its discovery.
“We aren’t sure what condition the inside of the waka will be in, but we can still try and preserve it so that’s our focus at this stage.”
Dr Phears says the age and origin of the waka are unknown at this stage and may never be discovered depending on its condition.
Mr McKenzie says because work has continued on other parts of the motorway project no delays have been caused.
“We have processes in place to manage discoveries like this and any others that may occur during construction,” Mr McKenzie says.
“This find is particularly significant though and is very exciting for all those involved.”
