Unearthing Aotearoa during Archaeology Week

WORDS: David Watt IMAGES: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

Held from 22-30 April, New Zealand Archaeology Week provides an excellent opportunity for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga staff to reaffirm their relationships with the industry and work together in promoting the importance of protecting our archaeological heritage.

The curious are also welcome, with opportunities for wider audiences, including schools, to join in on field trips and activities.

As the principal organiser for the event, the New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA) started planning well before the end of 2022 with discussion among Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga staff on themes and on securing community support for regional activities.

With its mission to promote and foster archaeological and historical research, NZAA’s membership spans professionals, amateurs, students, businesses and various institutions involved or interested in archaeology and heritage in Aotearoa New Zealand, with others welcome. The organisation also lobbies government and local authorities for the recognition and protection of Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural heritage through planning consultations and engagement.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga staff are looking forward to supporting the week through several events.

Kaikōura’s Fyffe House will be hosting an archaeology-themed open day for those looking to dive into Aotearoa New Zealand’s whaling past.

Further south at Totara Estate, Ōamaru, visitors will be able to enjoy a unique archaeology experience in picturesque surrounds.

Up north, the Proctor Library in Kerikeri will be hosting a visual display ‘Ngā Kōhatu o Aotea’ illustrating ways Māori used stone in everyday life, and Highwic, nestled in the bustling shopping district of Auckland’s Newmarket, will host a two-day training course on maritime archaeology.

A recent guide to Tauranga’s central city heritage, Ngā Tapuwae ki Te Papa Footprints on Te Papa, that was coproduced by the local Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga office, will be the centrepiece for a pre-1900 walking tour of the CBD.

Those after an armchair-friendly experience will enjoying listening to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga’s

Aotearoa Unearthed podcast, which is available on Spotify and iTunes. Two episodes are planned for release during Archaeology Week. A webinar on the drystone walls of the Auckland isthmus will also be available online.

With plenty on offer over the week to educate and entice, budding to professional archaeologists can find further details and the full programme of events at the NZAA website nzarchaeology.org n