Right beside Molly Malones pub on Taranaki St a cleared building site reveals the fragments of the big, thriving Te Aro pa which existed for most of the 19th century.

The discovery of three ponga huts, or whare, and an apparent cannonball on one of Wellington's busiest streets has stunned local Maori -- and the developers.

Since last month's find, an archaeological team has pored over the site and people from all over Wellington have taken interest. There have also been intense discussions between the Wellington Tenths Trust, the Historic Places Trust, the developers of the site and Wellington City Council about what to do with the huts.

The options included encasing them in glass for people to view, moving them to a new home and covering them over beneath apartments planned for the site.

Tenths Trust acting executive officer Liz Mellish says the parties have so far agreed to preserve the huts using a resin, but it is still possible they will have to be moved.