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Story: Leisure in traditional Māori society – ngā mahi a te rēhia

Pā distribution in New Zealand

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Pā distribution in New Zealand

This map shows the distribution of throughout New Zealand. The concentration of was strongest in the coastal parts of the North Island, from Whanganui and Hawke's Bay northwards. Their location coincides with the best areas to plant and grow Polynesian crops such as kūmara and taro. Fortified reflected the prevalence of warfare, which would have replaced the leisure time of the summer months.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Malcolm McKinnon, ed., Bateman New Zealand historical atlas: ko papatuanuku e takoto nei. Auckland: David Bateman, 1997, plate 11

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How to cite this page

Ross Calman, Leisure in traditional Māori society – ngā mahi a te rēhia – Leisure in traditional Māori society, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/map/40179/pa-distribution-in-new-zealand (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ross Calman, published 3 December 2012.