Te Nikau Pa
Te Nikau Pa
Viewed from 5 Papakura-Clevedon Road
Trail marker #1
This iconic landform, standing proud at the northern tip of Clevedon Village, is in an ancient pā maunga named Nikau Pā. This mountain was the seasonal home of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Rangatira (Chief) Tara Te Irirangi and to this day still has plentiful nikau growing well. From atop Nikau Pā it was once possible to look across to other maunga within the areas now known as Ormiston, Botany Downs, Dannemora, Highbrook, East Tamaki. Source: Te Uhu o Te Nikau School
The pā was a strategic hilltop stronghold in the area guarding the Wairoa valley and its resources. At its base was a specialised kainga, where specialised waka were carved, then floated to the Wairoa River via the Taitaia Stream. With thanks to Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, you can learn more about this history by listening to the ‘Story behind Te Nikau Pā’ on the Auckland Council website
Te Nikau Pā is now part of a 100ha high-value native bush reserve. Some older Clevedon residents still refer to it as 'Thorp's Hill', a nod to the nearly 60-years that land was owned by the Thorp family, one of the original European settlers to the area (this family name will pop up regularly along this trail). W. Hampton Thorp was a farmer and a keen conservationist and wanted to ensure that some of his farmland was preserved for public use. The land was sold into public ownership in 1914 and eventually gazetted as a scenic reserve in 1930.
-
Climb to the top of Te Nikau Pā via one of the two well-formed paths, making note of the abundant nikau, and enjoy 360 degree views of the region. This walk requires a good level of fitness. Allow 40mins – 1 hour.
Location Map
You are currently at Heritage Trail Location #1, Te Nikau Pa
Ready to see the next site? Follow the path highlighted on the adjacent map or follow the directions below to reach your next location:
St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church & Cemetery (approx 15m)
-
Next site:
St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church & Cemetery (approx 15m)Continue walking through the park to the edge of the cemetery to locate the second site marker, then enter the cemetery and walk north toward the church.
The information for each site has been thoughtfully prepared in collaboration with the Clevedon Districts Historical Society, drawing on Voices of Belonging by Jessie Munro, Yesteryears by F. Murray, and records from the McNicol Homestead Museum. Together, they tell the story of Clevedon and the people and places that made it the community we know today.
A special acknowledgement to photographer Donna Jepsen for her work capturing these sites as they appear today.
-
“Voices of Belonging”, Jessie Munro, 2016. Available to view and purchase at McNicol Homestead and for loan from the Clevedon Rural Library.
“Yesteryears”, Fraser Murray, 2009. Available to view and purchase at McNicol Homestead.
The Archeology of Clevedon Village and Wairoa River Valley, Opus.
The History of Clevedon School
An broad overview of our local history is available at clevedon.co.nz
Ngai Tai ki Tamaki’s history is rich and detailed in a number of online records;
• Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki website (“Our Stories”)
• Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki’s Deed of Settlement (Section 2.0 Historical Account)
• Clevedon School 150 year anniversary summary