Speleogenesis and Karst in New Zealand

The cavernous rocks of New Zealand can be grouped broadly into two main geologic types-the massive, metamorphosed, Ordovician, Mt. Arthour Marble of north-west South Island, and the stratified, bioclastic, Tertiary Te Kuiti limestones of western regions of both islands. Although much cave exploration has been carried out in both these regions, the principal study so far has involved caves and karst in the central western portion of North Island near the well-known Waitomo Caves, where some 85km of caves have been surveyed during the past 12 years by members of New Zealand Speleolgical Society.