17 September P O Box 747 GISBORNE P O Box 710 WHAKATANE 3158

Transcription

1 Archaeological assessment of proposed electricity supply line modifications, forest harvesting, and restoration planting, Titirangi Recreation Reserve, Gisborne 17 September 2014 Prepared for: Prepared by: Gisborne District Council P O Box 747 GISBORNE 4010 InSitu Heritage Ltd. P O Box 710 WHAKATANE 3158

2 Table of Contents 1. Background Statutory requirements Previous archaeological work and site descriptions Archaeological values and assessment of effects Electricity supply line modifications probable impact and recommendations Harvesting and associated earthworks - probable impact and recommendations Indigenous vegetation planting - probable impact and recommendations Conclusion and recommendations Archaeological authority application Preservation of archaeological features during electricity supply trenching, harvesting infrastructure earthworks, tree felling and extraction Post-harvest follow up References... 14

3 1. Background Gisborne District Council proposes to carry out reserve management and upgrading works within a portion of the Titirangi Recreation Reserve. The proposed works are: removal and upgrading of overhead electricity supply cables, forestry plantation harvesting and associated earthworks, and ecological restoration planting of indigenous vegetation following forest harvesting. This work is scheduled for 2014/15, and forms part of reserve improvements prior to the 250 th anniversary of the Cook landing, which will occur in Twelve archaeological sites are recorded in the NZ Archaeological Association Site Recording Scheme (NZAA SRS) within the reserve, four of which are located either within the area affected by the proposed work, or in the immediate vicinity (Figure 1) 1. The NZAA SRS site record numbers for the sites which extend into the harvest area are Y18/18 and Y18/463, while Y18/468 and Y18/469 are in the immediate vicinity. This report provides an archaeological assessment of the sites and their values, and considers the effects of the various aspects of the proposed work programme. This report is concerned with physical evidence of past human activity and is not an assessment of cultural values. Advice from tangata whenua should be sought about Maori cultural values. An archaeological survey of Titirangi Recreation Reserve was completed by Ken Phillips in This current archaeological assessment should be considered in conjunction with the earlier archaeological survey report. The 2002 survey report contains detailed information relating to the historic and archaeological landscape context of the reserve, and that information is not repeated within this current archaeological assessment. Large scale plans illustrating the proposed harvest plan and the electricity supply line modifications accompany this report separately. 1 The NZAA Site Recording Scheme is the national inventory of archaeological sites in New Zealand, which currently contains over 67,000 records. The online version is known as ArchSite ( The Site Recording Scheme was established in 1958 to encourage the recording of information about archaeological sites and is endorsed by the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the Department of Conservation as the official national inventory for archaeological sites. 2 Phillips K J S Preliminary Archaeological Survey of Titirangi Reserve, Gisborne. Unpublished report prepared for Gisborne District Council. Page 1

4 Figure 1: Location of Titirangi Reserve indicating proposed activity area (circled), and recorded archaeological sites (stars) (Source: ArchSite Page 2

5 2. Statutory requirements Heritage New Zealand administers the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act The Act makes it unlawful for any person to modify or destroy, or cause to be modified or destroyed, the whole or any part of an archaeological site without the prior authority of Heritage New Zealand. Any work that may affect an archaeological site requires an authority from Heritage New Zealand before commencement. This process applies regardless of whether the land on which the site is located is designated, or the activity is permitted under the District or Regional Plan or a resource or building consent has been granted. The Act provides for substantial penalties for unauthorised destruction or modification. An archaeological site is defined in the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 as any place in New Zealand (including buildings, structures or shipwrecks) that was associated with pre-1900 human activity, where there is evidence relating to the history of New Zealand that can be investigated using archaeological methods. The archaeological authority process applies to all sites that fit the legal definition, regardless of whether: The site is recorded in the NZ Archaeological Association Site Recording Scheme or recorded on the New Zealand Heritage List The site is not recorded and only becomes obvious because of ground disturbance The activity is permitted under a district or regional plan, or a resource or building consent has been granted. The Resource Management Act requires City, District and Regional Councils to manage the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources in a way that provides for the wellbeing of today s communities while safeguarding the options of future generations. The protection of historic heritage from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development is identified as a matter of national importance. Where resource consent is required for any activity, the assessment of effects is required to address historic heritage. Chapter 3 of the Gisborne District Plan (Operative 2006) relates to cultural heritage, recognised as comprising archaeological sites, waahi tapu and waahi tapu areas, and heritage buildings, places and precincts. The plan incorporates four heritage overlays, including Archaeological Sites & Areas (Overlay 2) to assist with the protection and management of historic heritage. Overlay 2 includes information from the New Zealand Heritage List, NZAA Site Recording Scheme and archaeological surveys; the sites are also listed in a Schedule in Appendix 1 of the plan. The plan includes rules associated with each heritage overlay. Page 3

6 3. Previous archaeological work and site descriptions Four recorded archaeological sites are located either within, or in close proximity to, an area of the Titirangi Recreation Reserve that was established as a radiata pine plantation between 1981 and The total area included within the proposed harvest plan is 8.7 hectares. An overhead electricity supply line bisects the harvest area running approximately north-south. The supply line extends to the south of the harvest area, down a steep escarpment to Kaiti Beach. A branch line supplies electricity to the Observatory and Telecommunications complex that are located on the summit of Kaiti Hill, within the reserve. An archaeological survey of Titirangi Recreation Reserve was completed by Ken Phillips in The survey included the area of proposed harvesting activity. Three of the sites within or adjacent to the harvest area were identified during the 2002 survey. The fourth site, Y18/18, was recorded in A fifth site, Y18/462 is located on a knoll immediately south of the harvest area; it is outside the plantation and will not be affected by the proposed activity. An archaeological field inspection was carried out by Lynda Walter on Monday 8 September 2014 for the purpose of preparing this archaeological assessment. Y18/18 Titirangi Pa. The 1971 site record form for this site states that it was the largest pa in Turanganui and that no physical evidence of it remains. Phillips notes that The great antiquity, early abandonment and post 1900 modification have conspired to hide the physical remains of Titirangi Pa 3. The site is described as large, and it is likely to have occupied the majority of the summit, including the area now covered by the Telecommunications complex, the Observatory and gun emplacement, and the summit carpark. Figure 2 in Phillips report illustrates the likely extent of the pa 4. The grid coordinates of the NZAA site record form plot to the trig on the summit, immediately adjacent to the Telecommunications complex, and although there has been extensive modification of the area, there is a high probability that intact subsurface archaeological features are still present. Occasional fragmentary scatters of shell midden occur in the vicinity of the trig, the Telecommunications complex and the Observatory. These areas are immediately adjacent to the harvest area. There is a reasonable probability that subsurface features associated with the pa may be present along parts of the southern edge of the harvest area, adjacent to the summit. Y18/463 Pit. This site was recorded by Phillips during the 2002 survey. It comprises of a single rectangular pit near the northern end of a spur that extends north from the Telecommunications complex and Observatory. The pit is well defined, and is within the forest plantation. There is a reasonable probability that the site is associated with Titirangi Pa. There is a single large pine tree immediately adjacent to the pit, but the feature itself is clear of pines and has a surface vegetation cover of rank grass and weeds. 3 Ibid p.6. 4 Ibid p.5. Note: Attempts were made to obtain a high quality copy of the 2002 report in order to transfer figure 2 into this archaeological assessment. However, the original of the report was unable to be located. Page 4

7 Y18/468 & Y18/469 WW2 Gun Emplacement and Military Camp. The gun emplacement and part of the overhead gun cover (Observatory) are immediately adjacent to the southern edge of the harvest area. Concrete foundations of several of the military camp buildings are located on a terrace south of the summit car park, well beyond the harvest area. There is some probability that subsurface features relating to the military activities at the summit extend into the harvest area. Phillips notes that during the military presence at Poho o Rawhiri Marae, adjacent to the reserve, access to the summit of Titirangi was via a track extending up the ridge behind Toko Toru Tapu church. The track is still clearly visible and was probably used by soldiers prior to the completion of the main access road 5. The track is located within the proposed harvest area. 5 Ibid p.17. Page 5

8 4. Archaeological values and assessment of effects Archaeological sites Y18/18 and Y18/463 are places associated with former Maori occupation and use of the area now encompassed by Titirangi Recreation Reserve. The area has a long and rich history of occupation recorded in Ngati Oneone traditions. The sites possess historic heritage values, as physical markers in the landscape that provide a tangible link with the past, and for their potential to provide information about an earlier way of life. Although Titirangi Pa has been severely damaged and modified by previous activities within the reserve, it nevertheless retains its cultural significance 6. In addition, any surviving remnants of the pa possess significant archaeological value. This includes Y18/463 which is highly likely to be directly associated with the occupation of the pa. Remaining archaeological evidence has the potential to contribute information about the way of life of the people who constructed and occupied the sites, the settlement pattern and resource use of the area. Sites Y18/468 and Y18/469 relate to WWII military occupation of the summit of Kaiti hill. As these places are associated with human activity post-1900 they are not included within the archaeological provisions of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, however as evidence of the WWII coastal defensive structures around New Zealand are lost, remaining structures increase in historical value. The military presence is a significant aspect of the history of the reserve, and these structures as well as any associated intact subsurface archaeological evidence possess heritage values. 4.1 Electricity supply line modifications probable impact and recommendations The proposed modification of electricity supply lines within the reserve has four components. Each is described below with accompanying comment on the probability of archaeological impact and recommendations. Reference is made to pole numbers which are illustrated on the large scale plan that accompanies this report. Part A Line removal Kaiti Hill Proposed work: Remove existing overhead line and poles from sites A4109 A4113 and A4 112 A237. The lines will be dropped and the timber poles will either be cut off at ground level or extracted depending on their location. This work is unlikely to impact on intact archaeological deposits provided that machinery used for the work is restricted to the area of the supply line corridor and ground disturbance is minimised. Ideally poles should be cut off at ground level rather than extracted in order to further minimise ground disturbance. 6 NZ Historic Places Act 1993 no. 2008/177, 24 January 2008, p.3 Page 6

9 Part B New underground supply to Telecommunications complex and Observatory Proposed work: Trench and directional drill new underground 400 volt power supply from existing pole A4133 to existing pole position A237. Install new 400 volt box near site A237 and redirect services from A237 to new box. Upgrade pole A4113 to 11 metre concrete and install new 3ph-50kVA PM Tx. There is some possibility that this line will be installed on overhead poles, but underground cabling is the preferred option. This work will involve ground disturbance (trenching or pole installation, and installation of new box and 11 metre concrete pole) in the general vicinity of recorded archaeological sites Y18/18 and Y18/468. The NZ Historic Places Trust granted archaeological authority no. 2008/177 to URS Corporation on 24 January 2008, for the purposes of carrying out trenching works in this general area for the installation of radio equipment at the Observatory. The authority was not exercised as the planned work did not proceed, so no information is available regarding the presence or absence of sub-surface deposits in this area. Given the proximity of the recorded archaeological sites there is a reasonable probability that buried archaeological deposits may be encountered during either proposed trenching work or installation of poles. The nature and extent of such archaeological deposits is unknown at present. An archaeological authority should be obtained before any ground disturbance occurs. Part C New underground supply to Kaiti Beach Tx (Yacht Club) Proposed work: Install new SF6 CFCF RMU SWGR unit with pad outside scaling station (Kaiti Beach Road). Trench and directional drill new underground supply cable from scaling station along Kaiti Beach Road to existing pole position A466. Drop existing cable from pole A466 and join new cable. There is some possibility that this line will be installed on overhead poles, but underground cabling is the preferred option. The proposed trenching and any other ground disturbance associated with this work will occur either within or adjacent to the road bed of Kaiti Beach Road, outside the boundaries of the Titirangi Recreation Reserve. This area has been subject to previous modification and the probability of encountering intact buried archaeological features in this context is considered to be low. Part D Line removal Kaiti Beach Road Proposed work: Remove existing overhead line and poles from sites A4113 A466. This work is unlikely to impact on any intact archaeological deposits provided that machinery used for the work is restricted to the area of the supply line corridor and ground disturbance is minimised. Ideally poles should be cut off at ground level rather than extracted in order to further minimise ground disturbance. Page 7

10 4.2 Harvesting and associated earthworks - probable impact and recommendations The current harvesting proposal will have no or minimal effects on the recorded visible archaeological features that are within the harvest area associated with site Y18/463. A fragmentary midden deposit associated with Y18/18 occurs in the vicinity of the trig but is outside the harvest boundary. The removal of the pine trees growing in the immediate vicinity of Y18/463 is desirable in order to conserve the archaeological feature. The ground disturbance required to harvest the two pine trees growing close to the pit will be minimal. Felling of the trees with high stumps should be sufficient to minimise ground disturbance and ensure that the trees fall clear of the archaeological feature, as the site is located on the end of a spur and the trees will fall over the edge of the spur and away from the feature. There is some probability that buried archaeological features that are not currently visible on the surface may be encountered in the block during harvesting either as trees are felled, or when felled stems are extracted by the hauler lines. Such features are most likely to occur on the crest of ridges and spurs, and midden is likely to be encountered on the ridge sides. The more extensive earthworks required for the construction of hauler pads with associated log processing areas and access roads within the block has the most potential to have adverse effects on any subsurface features that may be in the vicinity of either the pa Y18/18 or the WWII gun emplacement Y18/468. However, considerable effort has gone into developing a harvest plan that attempts to minimise the adverse effects on buried archaeological features within a problematic setting. The proposed location for hauler pads and log processing areas provide the best locations to enable all trees to be harvested and minimizes the number of hauler pads, and the length of access roads, that need to be established. The option of locating the summit log processing area within the existing tarseal carpark was discussed, but has been discounted. This is because the machinery movements on the carpark would destroy the carpark surface and secondly because the hauler pad east of the Observatory would still be required in order for the felled stems to be recovered, and the machinery track from the hauler pad to the carpark would still result in modification of the area adjacent to the gun emplacement and Observatory. It is unclear whether this area has been previously modified as a result of WWII activities. Page 8

11 Photo 1: Proposed access road and log processing area at northern end of harvest block indicated by red arrow. No archaeological features have been identified in this area, but may be encountered during ground disturbance. Photo 2: Proposed hauler pad location near northern end of harvest block indicated by red arrow. No archaeological features have been identified in this area, but may be encountered during ground disturbance. Page 9

12 Photo 3: Proposed hauler pad location near southern end of harvest block, east of Observatory. No archaeological features have been identified in this area, but may be encountered during ground disturbance. Photo 4: Proposed access road and log processing area adjacent to gun emplacement and east of Observatory. No archaeological features have been identified in this area, but may be encountered during ground disturbance. Page 10

13 Photo 5: Second view of proposed access road and log processing area adjacent to gun emplacement and east of Observatory. No archaeological features have been identified in this area, but may be encountered during ground disturbance. It is recommended that archaeological monitoring of initial turf and topsoil stripping is carried out prior to the formation of the proposed hauler pads, log processing areas and access roads. This would enable any subsurface archaeological deposits to be identified and appropriately recorded prior to construction of the required harvesting infrastructure. 4.3 Indigenous vegetation planting - probable impact and recommendations After the harvesting of the pine plantation has been completed it is proposed to establish indigenous vegetation within the area of the former plantation as part of the reserve improvement works. The planting of large trees on archaeological features such as Y18/463 must be avoided; however it may be appropriate to identify shallow rooting and low growing vegetation that will provide suitable ground cover for archaeological sites within the proposed planting area. This would be preferable to allowing weed invasion in these areas. Ideally features such as Y18/463 should be maintained in grass if possible so that they remain visible and disruption to archaeological stratigraphy by root growth is minimised. Archaeological advice should be obtained during the planning of the indigenous planting to ensure that areas that should not be planted, or require restriction of species planted, are identified. Given that harvesting of pines will have occurred prior to the planting, it is unlikely that the ground disturbance associated with planting activity will expose or encounter archaeological deposits in addition to any identified during harvesting. Page 11

14 5. Conclusion and recommendations The archaeological sites within Titirangi Recreation Reserve include places associated with former Maori occupation and use of the land, early European settlement and WWII military occupation. Proposed electricity supply line modifications will not impact on any visible archaeological features but buried archaeological deposits may be encountered during trenching or pole installation. The harvesting activity will include the removal of two large pine trees that are currently growing in the immediate vicinity of archaeological site Y18/463. The felling of the trees is likely to cause no or minimal disturbance to the archaeological features, provided it is undertaken carefully and with adequate and appropriate supervision. The required earthworks for harvesting infrastructure development under the proposed harvest plan does, however, have potential to damage or destroy subsurface archaeological features if they are occur within the areas identified for the location of access roads, log processing areas and hauler pads. No visible surface archaeological features are present in these areas, but definitive identification of buried features is not possible without extensive subsurface testing. In addition, there is a reasonable probability that buried archaeological features, such as midden, may be encountered during the felling and extraction of stems within the wider area of the block. The planting of indigenous vegetation after the forest harvesting has been completed has some potential to adversely affect archaeological sites if large trees are planted on archaeological features. Such impact can be avoided by obtaining appropriate archaeological advice. 5.1 Archaeological authority application It is recommended that an application be made under the provisions of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 for a general authority to modify or damage archaeological sites Y18/18 and Y18/463 and any associated buried archaeological features, for the purposes of electricity supply line upgrading, forest harvesting activities and indigenous planting. A general authority application is recommended in order to address the possibility that unrecorded buried features may be encountered during trenching, harvesting activity, the formation of log processing areas, hauler pads and access tracks, and the post-harvest planting. The large scale maps showing the forest harvest plan and the proposed electricity supply line changes must be included with the authority application, illustrating the location of the archaeological sites. The harvest plan must clearly demonstrate how trees will be removed from the visible archaeological features (Y18/463) to minimise or avoid damage. The harvest plan must also illustrate all other proposed ground disturbance in the forest. Page 12

15 5.2 Preservation of archaeological features during electricity supply trenching, harvesting infrastructure earthworks, tree felling and extraction All reasonable efforts should be made to avoid unnecessary alteration, modification or damage to any archaeological features: i. Removal of existing overhead electricity supply lines is anticipated to have no impact on archaeological deposits. Ideally, however existing poles should be cut off at ground level rather than extracted in order to minimise the required ground disturbance. ii. iii. iv. Trenching or pole placement for the installation of an electricity supply to the Observatory and Telecommications complex should be subject to appropriate archaeological monitoring to ensure that any subsurface deposits that may be encountered are recorded and investigated as necessary. Prior to any harvesting activity (including the construction of access tracks) in the block the perimeter of the visible archaeological features, including an appropriate buffer area, for archaeological site Y18/463 should be clearly marked. Procedures for compliance with any conditions contained in any archaeological authority granted by Heritage New Zealand will need to be developed and addressed prior to any harvesting activity or associated earthworks. This may necessitate the prior archaeological investigation or monitoring of selected areas within the block. v. All personnel working in the area should be made aware of the existence and significance of the sites. vi. vii. viii. ix. Personnel should also be made aware of the possibility that buried archaeological features are highly likely to be present in the block. Trees in the vicinity of Y18/463 should be chainsaw felled under appropriate supervision, leaving high stumps. Following removal of the pine trees no replanting of any identified archaeological sites in large tree species should occur. Appropriate archaeological advice should be sought during the development and implementation of the proposed indigenous planting programme. 5.3 Post-harvest follow up It is recommended that immediately following the harvest of the pine trees, the area should be inspected by an archaeologist in order to complete an assessment of effects, and to update NZAA SRS Site Record Forms as appropriate. Page 13

16 6. References Phillips K J S Preliminary Archaeological Survey of Titirangi Reserve, Gisborne. Unpublished report prepared for Gisborne District Council. Page 14