Takapūneke, Sacred Māori settlement in Akaroa, New Zealand.
Takapūneke is a former unfortified Māori village located near present-day Akaroa with natural harbor access that supported traditional fishing. The coastal setting shows why this location was chosen for maritime work and daily subsistence.
In 1830, Captain John Stewart assisted Te Rauparaha's raid on the settlement, resulting in the capture of the Ngāi Tahu leader Te Maiharanui. This attack became a pivotal moment in the history of the area and its people.
The name Takapūneke comes from a place where fishing nets were dragged, reflecting the maritime practices that Ngāi Tahu people developed over time. Today, walking through the site you can understand how important fishing was to daily life and survival here.
The site holds protection status as a Wāhi Tapu Area and is managed by Christchurch City Council, with management plans in place since 2018. Visitors should be aware this is a sacred place of importance to the Māori community.
Before gaining heritage protection, this significant location functioned as a municipal waste facility and sewage treatment site. This unusual history shows how long the place's importance had been overlooked.
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