Archaeological monitoring at Papanui Inlet is continuing to identify and excavate eroding worked wood from along the foreshore. This site shot to prominence in 2014 after the excavation of a six-and-a-half metre partial waka hull, and since then, quite a number of smaller wooden items associated with waka have been discovered.

The volunteer monitoring team, under the direction of archaeologists Shar Briden, Brian Allingham, and Rachel Wesley are making fairly regular trips over the summer to continue monitoring this dynamic wāhi tūpuna. 

Preparing for a day’s mahi over the Christmas break. (F Carolyn Campbell, Edward Ellison, Brain Allingham, Daniel Tipa, Phil Latham).

Preparing for a day’s mahi over the Christmas break. (F Carolyn Campbell, Edward Ellison, Brain Allingham, Daniel Tipa, Phil Latham).

Koreana Wesley-Evans carefully works around an artefact on a December excavation. From left, Brian Allingham, Carolyn Campbell, Koreana Wesley-Evans, Rachel Wesley, Kate Dempsey.

Koreana Wesley-Evans carefully works around an artefact on a December excavation. From left, Brian Allingham, Carolyn Campbell, Koreana Wesley-Evans, Rachel Wesley, Kate Dempsey.