Old pa found on new town site

A pre-Ngai Tahu Maori pa has been uncovered at the site of the new Pegasus township.

The town is being built from scratch 25km north of Christchurch and is expected to house about 5000 people.

The pa, found under what was to be the town's pump station, is believed to be 500 to 600 years old.

The nearby Kaiapohia Pa, a Ngai Tahu fortified village, is about 300 years old.