Photo: Kevin L. Jones
Photo: Kevin L. Jones

NZ's oldest burial site risks being swallowed by the sea

Embargoed until: Publicly released:
Peer-reviewed: This work was reviewed and scrutinised by relevant independent experts.

One of Aotearoa New Zealand’s earliest archaeological sites is at risk of being inundated by rising sea levels from climate change. About 20% of the heritage land at Te Pokohiwi o Kupe | Wairau Bar in the Marlborough region is currently at risk of being flooded by a 100-year storm-wave. However that fraction rises to 75% with the predicted sea level rise of the next 50-100 years. The site at Te Pokohiwi o Kupe | Wairau Bar dates back to the early 1300s, containing the earliest known graves in the country, some belonging to first-generation Polynesian settlers.

Journal/conference: MAI Journal

Organisation/s: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Massey University, Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau Trust

Funder: This research was enabled through collaboration between Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau Trust and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research | Taihoro Nukurangi via Strategic Science Investment Fund Project Nos. CAVA2501, CARH2505 and TKNC2505.

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