This is a list of rock formations in New Zealand based on their aesthetic and cultural importance. New Zealand's geomorphology is formed through an interaction between uplift, erosion and the underlying rock type. Most of the notable examples listed here are formed by selective erosion, for example waves and rivers can more easily erode sandstone than basalt and can also exploit joints or faults in the rock-mass. Some rocks like limestone (Waitomo Caves) and marble (Takaka Hill) can also be dissolved in water which forms a distinctive karst geomorphology. Notable rock formations are also formed through constructive processes such as geothermal and volcanic deposits, and sedimentary deposition.
North Island formations Photo Formation Region Type Summary LocationCape KidnappersHawke's BayWave erosion, sea stackCastle Craig RockWaikatoTerrestrial erosionCastlepointWellington, WairarapaWave erosionCathedral CoveWaikato, Coromandel PeninsulaWave erosion, cave, sea stackThe Dome of Saint PaulNorthland, WhangaroaTerrestrial erosion, igneous rockHole in the RockNorthland, Piercy IslandWave erosion, Natural archLimestone island with a natural arch. Significant tourist attraction.Horeke basalts, Wairere BouldersNorthlandTerrestrial erosion, igneous rockLava flow broken up as lower strata removed by erosion. Notable corrugation on basalt boulders.Kupe's SailWellington, Wairarapa, Palliser BayA dipping bed of slightly more resistant rock protruding above weaker rock.Koutu Boulders Northland Wave erosionLion RockAuckland, PihaWave erosion, sea stackProminent islet with shear cliffs of volcanic conglomerateMangapohue Natural BridgeWaikatoTerrestrial erosion, karst Natural Vase Wave erosionOrakei Korako (including Golden Fleece Terrace and Rainbow Terrace)Bay of PlentyGeothermalGeothermal terraces formed by minerals precipitating as the water cools.Pink and White TerracesBay of Plenty, Mount TaraweraGeothermalSignificant geothermal terraces formed by minerals precipitating as the water cools. These terraces were thought destroyed by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera, however they may have just been buried.The PinnaclesWaikato, Coromandel PeninsulaTerrestrial erosion, volcanic rockAndesite lava spires preserved when the weaker neighbouring pyroclastic rocks were eroded.Pinnacle Ridge and Cathedral RocksWhanganui-Manawatū, Mount RuapehuTerrestrial erosion, volcanic rockRock spires of andesite near summit of Mount Ruapehu.Poor Knights Islands NorthlandWave erosion, natural archPutangirua Pinnacles Wellington, WairarapaTerrestrial erosion, sedimentary rockTe Kaukau PointWellington, WairarapaWave erosionThree Sisters and Elephant RockTaranakiWave erosion, sea stacks, and natural archNotable for their well documented partial destruction from wave erosion.Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley (including Cathedral Rocks and Warbrick Terrace)Bay of PlentyGeothermalWaro Limestone Scenic ReserveNorthland, HikurangiTerrestrial erosion, sedimentary rockYoung Nick's HeadGisborneWave erosion
South Island formations Photo Formation Region Type Summary LocationBlackheadOtago, DunedinWave erosion, volcanic rock and sea stacksRock spires with basaltic columnar jointingBoulder BankNelsonWave erosion and depositionCastle HillCanterburyTerrestrial erosion, sedimentary rockCathedral CavesOtago, The CatlinsWave erosion, caveCook's Head RockOtagoWave erosionCurio BaySouthland, The CatlinsWave erosionPetrified forestElephant RocksOtago, Waitaki ValleyTerrestrial erosion, sedimentary rockFarewell SpitTasmanWave erosion and depositionHuriawa PeninsulaOtago, KaritaneWave erosion, natural arch and sea stacksKaitorete SpitCanterburyWave erosion and depositionKnights PointWest CoastWave erosion, sea stacksCliff and sea stacks formed by combination of uplift on the Alpine Fault and high erosion.Lion's Head RockOtago, Sandfly BayWave erosion, sea stacksLovers Leap and The ChasmOtago, SandymountWave erosion, natural archMoeraki BouldersOtagoWave erosionStrong calcite concretions eroded out of a weak marine mudstone. Boulders also present in the cliff face and nearby streams.Nevis BluffOtago, Kawarau ValleySeismic uplift, river erosionSteep mica schist cliff face.Nugget PointOtago, The CatlinsWave erosion, sea stacksSeveral sea stacks at the end of a prominent headland. The near vertical sandstone bedding creating steep planar cliffs.The Obelisk (The Old Man; Kopuwai)Otago, Old Man Range / KopuwaiFreeze thaw weatheringThe Old Man of the BullerWest Coast, Buller RiverOmarama Clay CliffsOtago, Ahuriri ValleyGlacial erosionŌnawe PeninsulaCanterbury, Banks PeninsulaWave erosionOparara Basin ArchesWest CoastTerrestrial erosion, natural archGround water erosion along the boundary of the basement granite and overlying limestone has formed caves and archers.The Organ PipesOtago, DunedinTerrestrial erosion, volcanic rockRock spire with basaltic columnar jointingPancake RocksWest Coast, PunakaikiWave erosion, natural archA coastal karst geomorphology. The apparent bedding within the limestone may be due to pressure solution of calcite during burial.The PyramidsOtago, DunedinWave erosion, seas stackRapanui (Shag Rock)Canterbury, Christchurch Wave erosion, Sea StackSea stack partially destroyed in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.Split Apple RockTasman Wave erosion, igneous rockA spheroidal granite block divided on a joint.Te Anau glacial erratic Southland, Te AnauGlacial depositionA Geological Reserve. During a past glacial advance this boulder was carried c. 50 km from the Fiordland mountains.Truman TrackWest Coast, PunakaikiWave erosionSea cliffs in sandstone and mudstone with a raised shore platform.Tunnel BeachOtago, DunedinWave erosion, Natural archSandstone sea cliffs and natural bridge, with man made tunnel.Wharariki BeachTasmanWave erosion, natural arch
Formations elsewhere Photo Formation Region Type Summary LocationGog and MagogStewart Island / RakiuraVolcanic plugsOhira Bay basalt columnsChatham IslandTerrestrial erosion, volcanic rock
Maps
See also
List of caves of New Zealand List of rock formations Stratigraphy of New Zealand Geomorphology
References