What is a pa site?

The hill fort or pa was erected on suitable hills with the wooden poles surrounding the village or ridges as well as on strategic situations with sea, river, lake, or swamp forming a natural barrier on one side.

All pas varied with terrain and locality. Stockades, as well as trenches and ramparts, were built or built around to protect the sides from open attacks from the enemy.

Inside the pa site is a village with sleeping huts, food such as kumara, and other foods with specially built in pataka as well as a large hole in the ground for water or special access to a spring if near bye.

A wooden gong (pahu) is built on the highest point of the hill or mountain, it was beaten to warn of an approaching attacks (enemy's).

Fighting stages were built over the gateways and other vulnerable places in the pa site to give protection, they would shot darts and throw stones down on there enemy. people defending a Pa feared fire.

A unfriendly force would try to use red-hot stones and fire brands to cause panic by setting fire to the village which were inside the barrier.

Every pa had its protective god or goddess. This was often a special stone which wasn't there possession the mana or prestige of the pa and was buried under one of the side posts.

In general the pa was the strongest defense  of the tribe, a place to go for safety and protection when danger cam and threatened there security for all in time of war.

When Europeans came and invaded the Maori decided not to build as many Pa’s on hills because the main hut was more open to rifle fire.

What was important in a pa site?

• When invaders came it would be a great source of protection.
• A great way to counter attack invaders
• Showed your rank as you got higher the more important you were. 

 How did they store food in the pa site?

• On the lower terraces of the pa they kept Kumara in small huts, the huts were equipped with wide trays to hold the Kumara, the trays were tilted 20 degrees to drain water.
• Food could also be buried underground to keep its heat.

 How did they make pa site?

• Wooden Poles
• Flax
• Branches
• Driftwood
• Native Plants
• Dead Plants
• Wooden tools
• Large crane like object