Moa bones discovered during Manawatū Gorge road replacement work

Thursday, 18 March 2021

Moa bones have been uncovered during work on the long-awaited Manawatū Gorge replacement highway.

Moa bones have been found at the site of the long-awaited new highway between Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay, replacing the shut road through the Manawatū Gorge.

The find has been hailed by the Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū Tararua Highway project site archaeologist as being of great significance.

The bones of at least two smaller-sized moa have been found, with further smaller bird bone fragments still to be analysed.

The largest complete moa bones found so far include a tibia bone about 350 millimetres long and two femur bones of varying lengths, both from the right side of the bird, which indicates at least two moa. A pelvis bone, vertebra and other leg bones have also been uncovered.

Work on the new road has been happening at pace this year.

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The discovery was made on Tuesday March 9, when crews were undertaking excavation work in a gully at the western end of the new highway site over the Ruahine Range.

“The team was really excited when it became clear what they’d found. It’s not every day we dig a hole and come across a moa,” said Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency project spokesman Lonnie Dalzell.

“It’s not unusual on projects like this for us to uncover animal bones, midden, and sometimes even koiwi (human remains), but moa bones are rare.

“We believe it is one of first moa bones finds in the area, and is an amazing discovery for our project whānau and the region.”

Following the discovery the area was cordoned off and earthworks halted until project site archaeologist Patrick Harsveldt and kaitiaki representatives could inspect the find.

Further bones were discovered after the initial find and Harsveldt began his archaeological investigation with the help of kaitiaki representatives.

“As kaitiaki it was important for us to monitor the investigation and ensure the correct tikanga was followed,” said kaitiaki co-ordinator Terry Hapi.

“We were concerned the find could potentially be koiwi, but we were all very excited when we realised these were moa bones. It was a privilege to be able to assist in the archaeological excavation.”

Harsveldt said he was delighted with the find, which was rare for the area.

“This discovery of in situ moa bones is of great significance for the region. Archaeological investigations are currently continuing to determine whether there is any evidence of human activity in association with the moa bones, such as butchery marks.”

Moa became extinct in the 15th century.

The Manawatū Gorge road has been closed since 2017. Its replacement is expected to be completed in late 2024.