If you're a mainstream New Zealand archaeologist, then you'd best skip this section as it's politically incorrect and outside of the allowable parameters of what you're permitted to investigate. You're advised to go, instead, and find a harmless little midden somewhere and see if you can come up with a flake of obsidian to write a big report about.

If you're an "isolationist" historian or one of our local, Marxist-dialectics social-engineering spin-doctors, then you'd best duck-away also, as the landscape evidence at or around Koru PA shows an ancient Continental European & Mediterranean origin for the builders, who used Northern Hemisphere measurement standards and the Sumerian/ Babylonian 360-degree azimuth angle system.

If you're someone looking for sensationalism and light entertainment, there's nothing here for you.

If you're a thinking, rational person, prepared to apply the scientific approach, work hard, be open-minded and able to shrug off vehement criticism for your heresy in undertaking a proper investigation of tangible facts, then welcome aboard.

The fact of the matter is, you'll have to greatly raise your game to a whole new, difficult level in order to gain a glimpse at what our ancient ancestors were actually doing with all those giant obelisks and stone landscape markers. Too many people try to drag ancient achievements down to a level that the lethargic mind can deal with without expending too much matière grise energy. So-called "experts" tell us that thousands of ambitious, backbreaking engineering feats or complicated surveying feats, which we would find very difficult to replicate today, were done solely for "celebrating fertility" or something equally banal...Yeah right!

So, Let's begin:

Koru PA is a very ancient Rath/ Cashel defensive enclosure with souterain tunnels, situated SSE of the New Zealand city of New Plymouth in the province of Taranaki. The landscape is dominated by one of the world's most picturesque mountains, a very asymmetrical, dormant, snow capped volcano called Mt Taranaki, the appearance of which is majestic and awe inspiring. Koru PA is located at the base of a range that stands between it and the mountain. The highest peak position of Mt. Taranaki lies 12-miles (19312 metres) from the hubstone of Koru PA's "standing stone circle" at an azimuth angle of 162-degrees to the "best guess" epicentre position of the peak (based upon TUMONZ electronic topographical map co-ordinates).

I place the hubstone position of Koru Pa's standing stone circle at NZMG (New Zealand Map Grid) 2595744.46, 6230064.79, which equates to S39, 07, 48.7072, E173, 59, 28.0202 (World Geodetic System 1984).

I place the highest and most visually impressive centre peak target on Mt. Taranaki at NZMG 2601808.7,6211573.7, which equates to WGS S 39, 17, 45.9635, E 174, 93, 50.0768.

Note: The hubstone co-ordinate position, for the purposes of this exercise, was first derived by a handheld GPS unit. Thereafter the azimuth-angle positions of each stone marker on the observatory site were determined by an optical theodolite survey to the "best-guess" spot where each now reposing stone once stood upright. To first ascertain angles accurately (in the setting up and perfecting stage of the survey) the crosshairs of the theodolite were centred on the official trig position atop Patuha Peak, calculated in AutoCAD (& based upon the official trig co-ordinates for Patuha Peak) to lie at a position 212.6663-degrees from the hubstone. Future surveys, using a laser theodolite and very sophisticated GPS, with a built in differential, co-ordinate facility, would refine the on-site accuracy, to a minuscule degree, yet further. That chore I leave up to surveyors with "state-of-the-art" equipment. The purpose of this article is to pique their curiosity, so that they'll go out and do the work to check the findings and conclusions herein.

So, based upon the data and resultant readout from AutoCAD, Mt. Taranaki's peak sits at 162-degrees, which also codes 161.80339-degrees.

Two of the Station Stones that sit on raised mounds on the Stonehenge site are located at 161.80339 to 162-degrees azimuth and at 341.80339 to 342-degrees azimuth respectively. At Koru PA, half a world away from Stonehenge, the ancient surveyors employed the same benchmark/ landmark fix-point methodology for the layout of their observatory site. In both locations everything related back to the 162-degrees or 342-degrees reference angles. This is either a very extraordinary coincidence or both locations were built by people of the same ethnic and cultural backgrounds, dating to about 3000BC.

The large oval shaped hubstone, which measures 5.9 feet long (1.8 metres) X 4.6 feet high (1.4 metres) has been tumbled NE off its platform. The estimated co-ordinate position, based upon a GPS reading, places the hubstone's original position atop its platform at: S39, 07, 48.7072, E173, 59, 28.0202. The ancient New Zealand surveyors often built stone platforms or foundation cradles for their very important marker stones or obelisks. Here are a couple of examples:

The large, purpose-placed obelisks encountered at strategic locations throughout New Zealand will often display associated stone-built foundations, upon which they formerly sat. This was, undoubtedly, to provide an erosion or undermining-free base that would offer enduring stability. Some of these platform or cradle boulders, quite obviously, served as "chinker" support stones to lock the unhewn, irregular obelisk bases into an upright position. The obelisk to the right was set up to provide a precise Equinox set observation, as the sun descended onto the peak position of Mt. Karioi in Raglan. The picture to the right shows a beautifully made cradle to support a huge obelisk set up to get a precise Equinox solar-rise fix, as the sun ascended from behind a prominent hillock situated just north of Mt. Pirongia.

The partially wrecked, but substantially intact "standing stone circle" at Koru PA. There are enough component stones lying at their original positions for us to decode the purpose of those intact positions. The hubstone (pictured with a theodolite tripod sitting adjacent) was very precisely placed to relate, by an extensive overland alignment system, to the limited dimensions of Mt. Taranaki's cone summit.

A representation of the layout of stones at Koru Pa's standing stone circle. The site has been carefully surveyed to the extent that its present dilapidated condition allows. Arrow 1 shows the position of the hubstone. Arrow 2 shows (circuited in red) the area of the site that is severely wrecked. This wrecked region seems to have contained the most important markers, in consideration of the large size of the placed boulders or boulder cairns located there. Eventually, we should be able to decipher the purposes behind the markers in this area, but this needs to be done with the assistance of an experienced team of archaeologists who are allowed to dig to determine where each component was formerly positioned. The stones marked in blue repose at or very near to their original, individual positions and a very mathematically plausible explanation can be proffered regarding why they were placed at those precise spots. A full plan, complete with an explanation of the meaning encoded into each still decipherable position will be given as we proceed.

Associated with Koru PA, on both sides of the Oakura River, are a series of purpose placed surveying markers. These relate directly to overland mapping and triangulation determinations. The PA location was, obviously, used for tutoring initiates concerning an ancient parcel of scientific knowledge. That knowledge was contained within the distances and angles between stones. Here's an explanation of numbered positions shown above:

1. This is the top plateau section of Koru PA and it has (or had) on it two very important markers. These were a standing stone (last seen in 2001, but now missing, with only the hole depression in the ground where the stone stood). and also a ground level stone box, thought by this researcher to have once contained a strategically placed Nui pole. The known distance and angle between these two plateau positions provided a "surveyor's baseline" for triangulation calculations onto highly visible markers across the valley.
   
   
2. On approaching the entryway of Koru PA, one observes that the ancient builders constructed a large mound, reminiscent of American mounds, as well as the British and Continental European tumulus mounds or barrows..
   
   
3. There is a cairn marker just inside the fenceline. From the Koru PA standing stone circle hubstone it marked a position 630 feet (one Greek long stadia...600 Greek feet of 12.6 British Standard inches each) at an azimuth angle of 240-degrees.
   
   
4. There is another cairn marker nearer in to the perimeter wall of Koru PA. It lies 504 feet (480 Greek feet) from the Koru PA standing stone circle hubstone, at an azimuth angle of 248.8-degrees. The purpose of this cairn marker was, plausibly, for remembering the equatorial size of the Earth under 4 closely related numerical systems used in the ancient world. The distance of 504 feet was in mnemonic reference to 1-minute of equatorial arc for the Earth. The sum of 504-feet = 6048-inches. The Great Pyramid was 756 feet per side and a full circumnavigation (3024 feet) represented 1/2 a minute of equatorial arc (3024 X 2 = 6048 feet). Therefore, the sum of 504 feet (6048-inches) was 1/12th of 1-minute of arc or 5-seconds of arc. Under the Great Pyramid's literal system the equatorial size of the Earth was 24883.2 Greek miles of 5250-feet or 24741.81818 miles of 5280 feet. The way that the very factorable and versatile 24883.2-mile figure was derived was: 12 X 12 X 12 X 12 X 1.2 = 24883.2-miles. The code for this is carried in the azimuth angle from the hubstone (248.832-degrees intended). Stone markers invariably acted as memory devices for recall of very factorable, much rehearsed and vocally enunciated numbers.
   
   
5. Position 5 shows where a "sighting pit" for overland alignment determinations is situated. Our modern archaeologists call these "kumara pits", but if they would check the precise locations where many of these are placed around the country, they would find out that the majority of the excavated depressions were precisely located for sighting onto distant landmark targets, oftentimes with another target or sighting pit located 180-degrees opposed (alignment systems)..
   
   
6. Position 6 shows where the hubstone of the "standing stone circle" is located. Encompassing it on every side are precisely place ground marker stones, which relate back to the hubstone by way of distance and azimuth angles. Within the confines of this site, ancient cyclic or geodetic sciences were kept alive, taught by rote and repetition, memorised and constantly reviewed, such that the principles did not lapse from memory in any generation.
   
   
7. Position 7 shows where another "sighting pit" is located on the sloping ridge SSE of Koru PA.
   
   
8. There are a series of very precisely placed and viewable stones at carefully worked out distances and angles from the position of the Nui Pole? and standing stone atop Koru PA on the highest plateau. These ridgeline markers were also in full view of the hubstone at Koru PA and on an approximate "across-valley" level to the plateau position of Koru PA. The coded or geometric purpose of each marker, in relation to the markers on Koru Pa's plateau, will be discussed as we proceed.

Left: all that now remains of the stone marker atop Koru PA is the hole in which it sat. The stone was last seen in place in 2001. It sat 10 feet in from the barrier fence facing the river on the highest point of Koru PA's eastern end. To the right is seen the stone trough marker at the western end of the top plateau at Koru PA. Although archaeologists refer to this as a hearth for fires, it was strategically placed for overland alignment geometry, using Mount Taranaki as its surveying reference marker.

Left: Alain sits in the sighting pit terrace, midway down the ridge that obscures the view from the hubstone at Koru PA's standing stone circle to Mt Taranaki. He's pointing at Mt. Taranaki and, 180-degrees opposed, is the high plateau region of Koru PA, with its two ground marker positions. Yet another sighting pit sits near the gateway of Koru PA within the assembly area, beyond the large mound structure, in full view of Mt. Taranaki.

In the picture to the right, taken 9-years ago, Alain kneels in another sighting pit at Mangawhai, Northland, New Zealand. He's pointing towards the very impressive pinnacles on the Hen and Chickens Island, out to sea. Directly behind him, 180-degrees opposed, is another sighting pit on an ancient, carefully constructed, earthen pyramid structure, which sits at the beginning (Station 1) of a 3-part surveying alignment. At the Northland site the pinnacles were used as a primary landmark within an ancient overland mapping and triangulation system, just as Mt. Taranaki was the "outer marker"and predominant surveying benchmark from Koru PA.

Before the hubstone of the Koru PA standing stone circle could be put in place, it was necessary to establish a surveying Station stone on the interim ridge to get an exact fix on the position of Mt. Taranaki's peak. The ancient (long straight sighting stick or alidade on a "raise & lower" vertical swivel, turnable through 360-degrees of horizontal plane?) theodolite had to then be turned exactly 180-degrees from the "Mt. Taranaki" benchmark target and aimed at the field location where the "standing stone" circle was to be erected.

This lower valley floor Station stone shown above was, without doubt, the first stone to be established on the Koru PA standing stone circle site. It even has a surveying glyph incised into it, which clearly alludes to the long straight summit line of the Pouakai Range, with Mt. Taranaki protruding above. The glyph faced the surveying station on the ridge. The stone shown on the Koru PA standing stone circle site sits at an angle of 162-degrees and at a distance of 72-feet from the hubstone. This stone represents Station 2 of the alignment from the hubstone to Mt. Taranaki.

On the alignment to Mt. Taranaki from the hubstone at Koru Pa's standing stone circle, this, the most elevated of the ridge stone markers, represents surveying Station 3. The line now passes slightly to the side of this stone, which appears to have been tumbled from its original standing position. The peak position of Mt. Taranaki can be seen amidst the clouds, with the arrow pointing directly at it. The position of this large, impressive marker boulder is now at: S39, 07, .880, E 173, 59, .495. (NZMG 2595783.33, 6229938.52). The visual detail of Mt.Taranaki protruding above the long, horizontal Pouakai Range, duplicates the appearance of the Station 2 incised glyph, which faced this Station 3 ridge marker.

Although the photo shown does not do the structure justice, this is an impressive stone cairn, now covered with grass, which has two marker stones atop it. This purpose built surveying cairn marker represents Station 4 in the overland alignment from the hubstone at Koru PA, two valley dips, a hill ridge and another valley removed. The epicentre of this cairn gave a GPS reading of S39, 07, .967, E173, 59, .535 (NZMG 2595839.09, 6229776.90). The line from Koru Pa's hubstone passes through this cairn to the peak of Mt. Taranaki (Station 5 & primary benchmark) at an azimuth angle very close to 162.00-degrees.

The 162 value, as stated, was in coded deference to rounded PHI @ 1.62. As with British, Continental European and Mediterranean megalithic sites, the "rounded PHI" value was always accompanied by pure PHI renditions @ 1.6180339. To accomplish coding this all important ratio value into the Koru PA alignment system, a giant obelisk was erected 42.6 feet west of the line between the Koru PA hubstone (Station 1) and the cairn in Mr. Brian Street's farm field (Station 4). Whereas the angle from the hubstone to Mt Taranaki was, seemingly, intended to give a 162-degrees reading, for a return angle of 342-degrees, the angle to the apex of Mt. Taranaki from the obelisk was 161.8036-degrees, or a pure PHI reading (X 100).

The giant obelisk reposes in the deep humus with a clear view onto the apex of Mt Taranaki @ 161.8036-degrees. To have achieved such a high-level of surveying accuracy without sophisticated optical or laser theodolites, is a remarkable achievement by ancient surveyors. A GPS reading on the position of the obelisk places it at: S39, 07, .987, E173, 59, .534 (NZMG 2595837.22, 6229739.91).

The obelisk and other markers in Brian Street's farm field sit in a valley bowl with high ground throughout most of the 360-degrees of vista. The only corridor of view out is through the "V" formed by declining ridges, centred on 162-degrees azimuth. Mt. Taranaki is nestled in the "V" corridor and is fully visible from the obelisk, cairn or other purpose placed markers adjacent. From the obelisk it gives a perfect angle reference of 161.8036-degrees, in mnemonic homage to the 1.6180339 to 1 PHI ratio, used copiously amidst the ancient confederation of European cousin nations.

So, how do we explain this quite visually apparent surveying perfection or near perfection? Let's offer a Marxist dialectical, politically correct one that our establishment archaeologists or historians would sustain gratefully:

Once upon a time there was a big volcano called Mt. Taranaki that one day went KA-boom (or was that WHOOM-pa?). Anyway, it threw out a few big impressive boulders and nice roundish stones. The big boulders all fell in a line of 162-degrees azimuth across the landscape. The small roundish stones all came down together, on the selfsame alignment, to form a lovely, symmetrical little cairn hump, topped off by two nice stones. Closeby to the cairn hump, a beautiful huge obelisk landed perfectly without breaking, to stand in a position where the summit top of Mt. Taranaki was situated at exactly 161.8036-degrees... an amazing, chance in a million, coincidence. Isn't nature wonderful?

Section 4