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Story: Oneone – soils

Possible kūmara gardens

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Possible kūmara gardens

These clusters of sand circles in the Waikato are thought to have been kūmara (sweet potato) gardens. Holes were dug in the soil, and sand was added to form a mound in which the kūmara were planted. These features have been dated to the 16th century and were set out in a quincunx pattern (like the five on a dice).

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Oneone – soils – Uses of soil, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/19112/possible-kumara-gardens (accessed 14 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 2 February 2010.