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Story: Coastal shoreline

Archaeological coastal gardens, Pukaroro

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Archaeological coastal gardens, Pukaroro

Some of New Zealand’s first gardens date from the 14th century. Māori modified the soil by adding gravel, shell and ash, a technique that increased soil fertility and water retention. Visible in this garden complex at Pukaroro, on the south-east Wairarapa coast, are stone rows to shelter plants and storage pits for harvested kūmara (sweet potato).

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10051768

by Kevin Jones

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Coastal shoreline – Sand dunes, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/4832/archaeological-coastal-gardens-pukaroro (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 2 March 2009.