Portage Road, Ōtāhuhu
Plaque on Portage Road
An historic plaque can be found on Portage Road. The plaque is inscribed as follows:
This Plaque Marks a Historic Site: In the middle of the 14th century, the Maori First Fleet invaded Aotearoa and, sailing through Hauraki Gulf, visited Tamaki in search of a new home. The first canoe to reach the isthmus was the "Tainui" which stayed at Otahuhu while the Maori Chief Taikehu carried out reconnaissance from a hill top, probably Mount Richmond. The waters of the Manukau Harbour were seen and the canoe was dragged overland and went on her way, calling at Mokau and finally then to her last resting place at Kawhia. In later years, canoes were frequently taken across the portage at Otahuhu, and this practice was followed with boats and small vessels even in Pakeha times. Later a canal was planned to link the Tasman and Pacific Oceans, and land was reserved to that end. Today the old track is known as Portage Road. Half a mile in length, it must surely be the shortest road between two seas anywhere in the world.
This plaque, donated by W.A. Stevenson. Esq., and Mrs. M.J. Sparrow was unveiled on March 20th 1959 by J.D. Murdoch. Esq., Mayor of Otahuhu.
References
- ^ La Roche, Alan (29 September 2020). "History: The old Pakuranga pre-European highway". Times. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Matthews & Matthews Architects Ltd (August 2014). Otahuhu Historic Heritage Survey: Overview Report (PDF) (Report). Auckland City Council. p. 132. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ "Boundaries of the Borough of Mount Wellington" (PDF). New Zealand Gazette. 50: 1338.
- ^ "Obituary: Niall Burgess". New Zealand Herald. 16 February 2001. Retrieved 20 January 2021.