Kumara pits uncovered during widening of part of Maxwells Road are estimated to be 200-400 years old, and are the first evidence of a large Maori settlement there.

The discovery was made while contractors were digging to relocate a gas main as part of some road works, says Tauranga City Council communications advisor Marcel Currin.

Evidence is found of a large Maori settlement at Pillans Point.

Heritage NZ have been on site since then.

As they log their findings, the construction work continues over the former larder.

The archaeologists identified remains of about 25 subterranean food storage buildings and evidence of a pataka - a raised food storage building. Some of the pits are about 8m in length and nearly 2m deep.

Because of the size, they are of archaeological interest and are relatively rare. They are evidence of a large Maori settlement on the Otumoetai peninsula.

'Kumara pits similar to those found on Maxwells Rd are apparently found quite frequently in the Bay of Plenty, however, we understand none have been found in this area of Tauranga to date,” says Marcel.

Archaeologists say the site was occupied 200-400 years ago, but radio carbon dating of samples is needed to confirm this.

The site is a 3-4 metre strip along the east side of Maxwells Rd where widening is taking place to create car parking spaces and to upgrade underground services.

Archaeological evidence was identified during a site walkover and confirmed during archaeological monitoring of earthworks in January. The works are being undertaken under an archaeological authority from Heritage New Zealand.

Findings are being recorded and then the construction work continues over it. So the site gets covered over, but not before another piece of information about life in early Tauranga has been added to Heritage NZ's records.

Artefacts including obsidian (volcanic glass) and fragments of stone adzes have been found. These will be analysed by a specialist. A report will be provided to Heritage New Zealand detailing the finds.

It will be difficult to park in the usual places while the work is ongoing over the next week.