The Permian at Parapara Peak, North-west Nelson

Abstract

Permian strata, previously mapped as Cambrian, are described from Parapara Peak, west of Takaka, North-west Nelson. The name Parapara Group is proposed for these rocks, with the following four formations in ascending order: Pupu Conglomerate, Flowers Formation, Pariwhakaoho Formation, and Walker Quartzite. The strata differ considerably from the Permian elsewhere in New Zealand in their lack of lavas and tuffs, and lack of volcanic detritus, in their predominantly arkosic nature, and in their fauna, which closely resembles that of south-east Australia, especially Tasmania.