What the Botany Area Would Have Looked Like in the Early 1800's

As Maori and European settlers arrived in the region of Botany, over time the landscape changed. However, from the little recorded evidence we have, we have a vague image of how the Botany area looked like in the early 1800’s.

Where Point View Drive is situated today in our present times was dense native forestry home to birds such as Kereru, the iconic Kiwi, Tui and the seven foot tall Moa who is now, unfortunately, extinct. Those birds lived in a habitat filled with native trees such as Kauri and fern and bracken was also included in the atmosphere. This landscape rolled down the hills of Point View Drive, until the now named Logan Carr reserve.Picture of the now extinct Moa and a small Kiwi bird beside it. Picture courtesy of http://karlshuker.blogspot.co.nz/2011/12/moa-for-your-money-best-book-on.html

Around the area of the Logan Carr reserve, was a swampy environment surrounding the main pond and stream. Throughout the swamp, raupo (reeds) and flax grew plentifully.

Slightly further away from the Logan Carr reserve is the Eastern shore line, home to Howick Beach, Bucklands Beach and Cockle Bay. In these areas the Pohutukawa trees grow commonly and can be easily identified due to their distinctive red flowers that bloom in the Summer.

In environments similar to estuaries, mangroves would grow in the water. The trees can survive in salt-water environments. These trees would have been present in the Mangemangeroa Reserve, which has been sectioned as part of Howick.           Photograph of Pohutukawa flower courtesy of http://tipuranga13.blogspot.co.nz/2011/08/kiwiana-writing.html

All the land between these locations would have been covered with dense native forestry or swampland. Cabbage trees were common and were present in almost all environments including around the coast, around swamps and forestry. Grass would not have had been as the European settlers bought grass with them. However, New Zealand did have tussock.

The Ngai Tai People

Maori inhabitants of the Botany area in the 1800’s were part of the Ngai Tai sub-tribe and were of Tainui descent. They lived a simple lifestyle and lived in a fortunate environment with the forests to hunt and the beaches to fish. 

Pas of the Ngai Tai People

The Ngai Tai people lived in pas (fortified villages). Normally a pa would be built on a landform with a fenced structure surrounding the site and to be on a suitable ridge. The pa would usually also be in an easily defended strategic position where a sea, river or swamp formed a natural barrier on at least one side. As extra defense, trenches were dug and earth ramparts were built. Food-wise, pas were also usually built close to kumara plantations. Within the pas, thatched huts were built, rua (food-storage pits) were common and in some cases a pahu (wooden gong that would be sounded in times of emergency) would be also be present. Pas of the Ngai Tai people were situated on Ohuia Rangi (Pigeon Mountain), Te Waiaroha (Musick Point) and Tuwakamana (Cockle Bay). They had lived there for an approximated 300 years.

.

Painting of an interior of a pa courtesy of http://www.fletchercollection.co.nz/exhibition/turning-points/category3/john-gilfillan.php

Hunting and Fishing

The Maori hunted birds from the local forests, using snares, spears and other traps. They favoured hunting the Moa as it could feed multiple people but eventually became extinct due to over hunting. Other birds that became extinct due to hunting were New Zealand native swan, flightless geese and pelicans. As several species were becoming extinct, the Maoris had to hunt food that they were not familiar with such as penguins and pukeko (a bird that lived in swampland).

However, as there are streams, rivers and oceans surrounding the Botany area, the Maori people also relied on water life. Eels were caught from streams and then immediately preserved for storage by cooking or smoking the eels. Fish such as snapper were caught with nets made from raupo (reeds) and flax and pipi and kina were gathered from the shore. When the fishers returned, the catch was organized into flax-woven baskets and then distributed throughout the community.

Painting of Maori in waka courtesy of http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/marlborough-region/5/1

Harvesting Kumara

Forests were cleared for kumara plantations and to quicken the process of harvesting, the plants were grown around rock mounds for the rocks to absorb the heat from the sun and release the heat during the cooler nights thus acting like a natural façade.

Pianting of Maori harvesting kumara courtesy of http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-CowYest-t1-body-d1-d15.html