17. Could these ancient artefacts—the Pouto Ki Rongomaraeroa carving and Tamil Bell—hold the key to uncovering early connections between New Zealand and distant civilisations?

Two artefacts in the series are presented:

Archaeological Artefacts

1.2 Carved Panels:

Two carved panels of a similar style have been discovered in separate locations in Northland.

One was found during the draining of a swamp in the Kaitaia District and is now housed in the Auckland Museum. The second panel was uncovered in 1991 in the sand at Pouto Beach, Kaipara North Head. Local iwi were adamant that the carving was not the work of their ancestors. Now stored in the Dargaville Museum, the caption beside the carving states:

Pouto Ki Rongomaraeroa

This ancient 2.7-metre pou, carved with stone tools from kauri, was discovered in sand dunes near Pouto Point after a storm in December 1991. It is believed to have been the right-hand entrance of a Waitaha village known as Matuinga.

The carving, called Pouto Ki Rongomaraeroa, is the only one of its kind to be restored and displayed in a public setting.

Its design and style differ from traditional Māori carvings, reinforcing the theory that the Waitaha had distinct origins and a longer history in New Zealand than Māori. The Waitaha are thought to have lived in settlements along much of New Zealand’s coast.

1.3 Tamil Bell/Cooking Vessel

The Tamil Bell is a bronze bell inscribed with Tamil script, acquired around 1836 by missionary William Colenso. It was reportedly being used as a pot to boil potatoes by Māori women near Whangārei in the Northland Region of New Zealand.

Colenso was told that the bell had been discovered when a large tree was blown over during a heavy gale, revealing the artefact entangled in its roots. Its owners believed the bell had been in their iwi’s possession for several generations. Colenso exchanged an iron pot for the bell.

Two significant features of the bell stand out. First, its Tamil design indicates that it was crafted by people from Southern India or Sri Lanka. Second, it is made of bronze and shaped as a bell. This suggests it was manufactured overseas, as New Zealand had neither the bronze material nor the means to produce such an artefact.

This raises an important question: How did the bell reach New Zealand before 1836?

At some point, the bell must have left Southern India or Sri Lanka. Did it travel directly by ship to New Zealand, or did it arrive via Southeast Asia? As established in previous discussions, large-scale maritime trade between India and Southeast Asia existed over 2,000 years ago. Could ships from that region have ventured south to New Zealand during this period?

Which archaeological artefacts found in New Zealand have origins that remain uncertain or subject to debate? Can you identify any?

THE EVIDENCE continues in the next Blog.