Rock art site still to be assessed

An assessment on the stability of the Takiroa rock art site - the scene of a dramatic collapse last week - is still to be done.

Rare examples of Maori rock art survived the collapse of a rock outcrop, near Duntroon, after heavy rain in the area.

The site, which is a popular tourist stop next to State Highway 83, was closed until its stability could be assessed.

When contacted yesterday, Ngai Tahu Maori Rock Art Trust curator Amanda Symon said someone had to be located to do the assessment and funding obtained as it would be "not a cheap task".

It was hoped to have that done within two or three weeks.

Once that assessment was done, the trust would have some idea of what its next step would be, she said.

Ms Symon visited the site earlier this week with a geologist, to assess the cause of the slump.

While she had seen photographs of the collapse and was prepared for it, it was "quite awe-inspiring" standing next to it.

The site could not be cleaned up until it was ascertained that it was safe for people.

It was not bad having a large pile of rubble as it "probably speaks louder than warning signs", she said.

 

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