Human bones found during Sumner road works

A Maori midden containing human and animal bones has been uncovered during trenching work on Sumner’s Main Rd.

The bones were found during construction along Sumner's Main Road.

The Peacock’s Gallop project involves the installation of a new water main and wastewater pipe along the Main Rd. It also involves road resurfacing and the installation of a crash barrier at Rapanui/Shag Rock corner. 

Before work started in mid-July, the site, which is near coastline and caves, had been identified as an area of cultural and archaeological significance. As a result all contractor crew members underwent an in-depth archaeological induction.

On 22 August the contractor was carrying out trenching work outside the Sumner Surf Club when a Maori midden, including the presence of bones, was discovered. This triggered the Koiwi/human discovery protocol and work stopped immediately while an on-site archaeologist and cultural monitor advised on the process.

Following the Koiwi protocol, Ngāi Tūāhuriri were alerted to the find, along with Heritage New Zealand and New Zealand Police. Photos were taken of the bones before they were removed and an off-site archaeologist carried out a visual assessment of the remains.

Remains from part of a human leg bone (femur) were discovered along with other animal bones including kuri (Polynesian dog), ling (fish) as well as moa. The presence of moa fragments meant the bones were estimated to date from before the year 1500.

Clearance was given for work to restart on site on 23 August on the condition that all excavation work within 2.5 metres of where the bones were found was hand excavated. This allows for further assessment by the on-site archaeologist and minimises the risk of disturbing any further remains close by.

John Moore, the Council’s Three Waters and Waste Planning Delivery Manager, said all of the appropriate steps were taken in this case. “We immediately recognised the significance of this discovery and our contractor stopped work while an investigation was carried out. We appreciate this is a very important find and we have taken every step possible to ensure the bones are properly protected and treated in a culturally appropriate way.”

Cultural and archaeological monitoring will continue while trenching work is underway. The site will be monitored for any further finds and the Koiwi/human discovery protocol will be activated again if required.