Well defended for centuries
From a hidden cavity, a deadly deterrent guarded against an enemy that never came.
The Star reporter Sam Henderson heads underground to discover the secret defences that kept the colony safe.
With commanding views out to the ocean, Fort Taiaroa was the first line of defence for seaborne threats to the European settlement of Dunedin.
Situated above the Royal Albatross Centre, the historic site is now managed by the Otago Peninsula Trust.
Eco-tourism manager Hoani Langsbury said it was the most significant pā site in Ngāi Tahu before European settlement.
Māori long regarded the hilltop at the tip of the Otago Peninsula as a key defensive position.
About 56km away on the horizon lay the pā site at Kātiki Point on the Moeraki Peninsula.
The site also looks directly across to the pā at Huriawa Peninsula.
"Which is Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki."
Over the centuries many tried to take the position, yet the only route was a fight up from Pilot's Beach because cliffs guarded the other three sides.
Strategically, the headland remained occupied until about 1840, when Māori shifted to the site where Ōtakou Marae now is.
"They moved there in 1857 and then after that it was taken by the military in the 1880s for strategic and military purposes."
During the 1870s and 1880s British and Russian tensions soared and a series of Russian scares gripped the country.
The government ordered heavy artillery and ammunition from Britain and built a network of coastal defences.
Fort Taiaroa ordered an Armstrong Disappearing Gun about 1885.
WG Armstrong & Co manufactured the gun in 1886 at Elswick, United Kingdom.
The gun, comprised of more than 13 tonnes of steel, was barged into Pilot's Beach then hauled up the hill on a temporary tramway.
The gun was not ready for action until 1889.
Tour guide and maintenance worker Zach Barford said once installed the entire assembly weighed about 18 tonnes.
The gun employed a hydro-pneumatic system, using water pressurised to 1200 pound-force per square inch (psi) to lift the barrel into firing position.
The barrel sprang up from underground to fire in roughly a second, the recoil immediately recharged the system.
Estimates for the turnaround time was one round a minute.
Mr Langsbury said thinking of golf helped understand why the disappearing gun was developed.
After each shot the gun emitted a smoke plume that revealed its position and invited return fire.
"If they fire and miss, if gun was up here and they hit here, shrapnel would destroy the gun.
"If it is down in its pit, you can only destroy the gun with a hole-in-one."
Thanks to significant restoration work by the Antique Arms Association and Otago Peninsula Trust, the disappearing gun was given the Engineering Heritage Award by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
It was only the sixth time it had been given outside the UK.
Despite significant work to install and maintain it, the gun was never used in conflict.
"It was fired by our records 486 times in practice only," Mr Barford said.
"I guess the best summary is it is a precaution for what could be and then basically as a result the best outcome is if you never have to fire it in anger."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
8 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Israel starts 'rescue' flights as airlines reroute across Middle East
Israel briefly reopened its airspace today and is expanding flight operations tomorrow, aiming to help tens of thousands of travellers stranded by widespread cancellations across the Middle East after the U.S. attacked Iran. An organisation that monitors flight risks warned on Sunday (local time) that U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites could heighten the threat to American operators in the region. With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed due to war, the Middle East has become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia, but flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed empty space over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel. Airlines have chosen routings such as north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, even if these mean higher fuel and crew costs and longer flight times. Air France KLM said it has cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh on Sunday and Monday. Singapore Airlines said it cancelled flights from Singapore to Dubai following a security assessment and British Airways cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Doha. Those cancellations were only for Sunday, but Singapore said other flights between Singapore and Dubai may be affected as the situation remains "fluid". BA, owned by IAG ICAG.L, said customers scheduled to travel between now and June 24 to Dubai and Doha can rebook up to and including July 6, free of charge. Israel meanwhile is starting to find ways for citizens stranded abroad to get home and for foreign tourists to leave, if slowly. Israeli airline El Al on Sunday said it had received applications to leave the country from about 25,000 people in about a day. Israel's Airports Authority said so-called rescue flights to the country would expand starting on Monday with 24 a day from various destinations, although each flight would be limited to 50 passengers. El Al said it would start servicing eight international destinations on Monday after getting the massive wave of requests to leave the country. Following an early barrage of Iranian missiles, Israel also reopened its airspace for six hours on Sunday to bring back those stranded abroad since the conflict with Iran began on June 13. Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, said the U.S. attacks on Iran may increase risks to U.S. operators in the region. "While there have been no specific threats made against civil aviation, Iran has previously warned it would retaliate by attacking U.S. military interests in the Middle East - either directly or via proxies such as Hezbollah," Safe Airspace said. Missile and drone barrages in a growing number of conflict zones represent a high risk to airline traffic. In the nine days since Israel attacked Iran, carriers have suspended flights to destinations in the affected countries, though there have been some evacuation flights from neighbouring nations and some bringing stranded Israelis home. Airlines are also concerned about a potential spike in oil prices following the U.S. attacks, which will increase the cost of jet fuel. In the days before the U.S. strikes, American Airlines AAL.O suspended flights to Qatar and United Airlines UAL.O did the same with flights to Dubai. Safe Airspace said airspace risks could now extend to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Israeli authorities opened the country's main airport, Ben Gurion near Tel Aviv, for rescue flight landings on Sunday for six hours. The small Haifa Airport serving Israel's north was also open during the same period. Tens of thousands of Israelis and others who had booked tickets to Israel are stuck abroad and nearly 40,000 tourists in Israel are looking to leave, some of whom are going via Jordan's borders to Amman and Aqaba and others via Egypt and by boat to Cyprus.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
On the run with the rising sun
George Boanas outside one of Japan's ubiquitous 'konbini' — convenience stores. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Gibbston's George Boanas reckons he'll soon need his fifth pair of shoes as he runs the length of Japan. The 26-year-old set off from the southern tip of Kyushu on May 2, and reckons he'll knock off the 2400km journey to the top of Hokkaido early next month. Hugging the west coast as he traverses the country's three main islands, and mainly following walking paths and minor roads, he's now in Akita prefecture, near the top of the main island of Honshu. Using crowd-funding site JustGiving, he's raised more than $13,000, and counting, for a British charity providing healthcare to Palestinians caught up in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Boanas, whose parents Guy and Ann are the longtime owners of Mt Rosa Wines, is no stranger to physical challenges. The keen outdoorsman has a background in conservation work and hiking guiding, walked Te Araroa five years ago, and has undertaken many long-distance, self-supported bike journeys. However, unsure if he could keep up the necessary marathon distance every day, he put himself to the test in April by running from Gibbston to Christchurch. He managed to complete the 450km in 12 days without drama. He's found he can comfortably run 50km-plus in a day, giving him the luxury of taking occasional days off to rest and keep his gear in order — such as buying new running shoes. Despite having visited Japan only once before, for a ski trip, he chose the country because of the obvious starting and ending points it offered. It also has the advantage of having countless convenience stores and vending machines, which means replenishment is never far away. "I've only ever had to carry more than a litre and a half of liquid at a time, because ... there's going to be a vending machine on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere." He's also taken advantage of the numerous onsen (hot spring baths). Despite being "very unfamiliar" with the country's language and culture, he's had positive reactions from locals along the way. "I've been well looked after."
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Great Ride Te Hangāruru Opens: ‘A Gift To The Community For Matariki'
The opening of a long-awaited cycle and walking trail connecting Horopito to Waimarino (National Park village) has been heralded as a major milestone for the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride. "This is our gift to the community for Matariki," trail champion Lynley Twyman said at the Horopito trail head in the central North Island. Twyman said Te Hangāruru, the new section of the Great Ride, was a vital piece of the vision to complete a 320km journey from Ruapehu maunga to the Tasman Sea. "The trail honours the stories and abundance of this land, and builds a legacy for future generations." The rising of the nine stars of Matariki (Pleiades) marks the beginning of the Māori new year. This year's national observance day ceremony, being broadcast from the foot of Ruapehu maunga at dawn on Friday, recognises both Matariki and Puanga (Rigel), one of the most important stars for Māori in the Ruapehu and Whanganui regions. Twyman said the region had come through a difficult period, including ski industry troubles and the closure of major employers like the Chateau Tongariro and WPI Mills. The trail would help build regional resilience and act as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and community wellbeing. Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton said Te Hangāruru had been delivered despite enormous challenges, including funding hurdles and environmental consents. "This trail is the product of sheer determination, long-term vision and real community mahi," Kirton said. "Te Hangāruru represents not just connection on a map, but a pathway for locals and visitors to explore, reflect and rediscover the beauty of this place." Twyman said the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono trail was one of New Zealand's most diverse cycle trails, traversing dual World Heritage landscapes, native bush, alpine streams, the volcanic plateau, historic viaducts and the Whanganui River. The 9km southern section of Te Hangāruru, from Horopito to Pōkākā Road, features two new suspension bridges, including a 30 metre bridge over the Mangaturuturu River, a dramatic waterfall and a heritage tramway. The 9km northern section follows part of the restored Marton Sash & Door tramway. The final section of the trail - awaiting funding for construction - includes a 225m suspension bridge over the Makatote River. 'A tangible expression of partnership' Te Hangāruru was due to open at Horopito on Thursday morning with a community celebration bringing together iwi, council representatives and the wider community, including students from National Park School and Raetihi Primary. The Mountains to Sea initiative is a collaboration between iwi, local government and the community. A charitable trust that leads and supports work on the trail includes representatives from Ngāti Rangi, iwi collective Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, Ruapehu and Whanganui district councils, the Whanganui Māori regional tourism organisation, trail users and community leaders. "Te Hangāruru is a tangible expression of partnership," Te Korowai o Wainuiārua chair Aiden Gilbert said. The name Te Hangāruru was gifted to the trail by Uenuku, one of three iwi represented by Te Korowai o Wainuiārua. It refers to the native forest - traditionally a place of abundance for local Māori. "The name Te Hangāruru recalls a time when the skies of the Waimarino forest were dark with birds such as kākā," Gilbert said. "It was a place where tangata whenua gathered kai and lived in harmony with the taiao (earth)." Gilbert said the trail winds through regenerating ngahere, past waterfalls and toward the proposed iwi-led Pōkākā alpine ecosanctuary. "Through this trail, our people have opportunities to care for the land and to welcome visitors through manaakitanga. It's part of a bigger journey, one where we walk together." Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe, who chairs Ngā Ara Tūhono Charitable Trust, described the Great Ride as "a true regional treasure". He said the Mountains to Sea ride literally connects the Ruapehu and Whanganui districts and strengthens their shared future. "This project brings economic opportunity, supports healthy communities and invites manuhiri from all over to experience something unique to Aotearoa."
