West Coast Region

Abbey Rocks lithographic stone quarry. Map: G36; Classification: B3. Significance: Only lithographic stone quarry in New Zealand.

Ahaura River gorge. Map: K31; Classification: C2. Significance: An excellent example of a gorge cut deeply into glacial outwash sediments.

Alborn coal mine, Reefton. Map: L30; Classification: C3. Significance: Well preserved example of small scale coal mining operation on the West Coast.

Alexander Street Miocene fossils. Map: J32; Classification: B5. Significance: Site contained diverse Clifdenian fauna, but has now been destroyed.

Arawata River mouth hooked bar, Jackson Bay. Map: E37; Classification: C3. Significance: Only river mouth in South Westland that protrudes significantly from the coastline, producing unusual bar shapes.

Awatuna abandoned marine cliffs, Kumara Junction. Map: J32; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the best preserved examples of old shorelines along the West Coast.

Babylon Cave, lower Fox River. Map: K30; Classification: B2. Significance: Best speleothem decoration in a cave in the area. Large passages.

Bamboo Cave, lower Four Mile River. Map: K30; Classification: C1. Significance: Fossil whale bones in limestone exposed in cave.

Barrytown alluvial fans. Map: K31; Classification: C3. Significance: Excellent examples of steeply sloping coastal fans.

Barrytown granite pluton and associated scheelite deposit. Map: K31; Classification: C3. Significance: A good example of the relationship between a granite pluton near its original roof level and associated minerals.

Big River Gold Mine, Reefton. Map: L31; Classification: B2. Significance: One of the best extant examples of a large gold mining complex in New Zealand.

Blackball coalmining relics. Map: K31; Classification: C2. Significance: Important historic mine site, well-preserved examples of ventilation and boilerhouse chimneys.

Blackball scarps (flexural slip faults A,B,C). Map: K31; Classification: B3. Significance: Best known example of flexural slip faulting in NZ.

Blackwater (Waiuta) gold mine, Reefton. Map: L31; Classification: B2. Significance: The deepest and one of the largest goldmines in New Zealand; and good arsenopyrite locality.

Blue River mica mine. Map: G37; Classification: B3. Significance: The largest of very few mica mines in New Zealand.

Blue Spur gold mining. Map: J32; Classification: C3. Significance: Good example of fossil beach gold mining.

Brunner Gorge. Map: K31; Classification: C3. Significance: Excellent example of a deeply incised river gorge.

Brunner Industrial site. Map: K31; Classification: B2. Significance: Remnants of one of the West Coast's largest coal mines and associated coke ovens. Also the site of New Zealand's worst mine disaster.

Buller Gorge. Map: L29; Classification: B3. Significance: One of the most easily accessible, visually appreciated, major river gorges in the South Island.

Buller Gorge non-marine sedimentary sequence and plant beds. Map: L29; Classification: A3. Significance: Type section of Ohika Formation; Stitts Tuff Member. Oldest post-Rangitata sediments on the West Coast, significant in tectonics, paleogeography, palynology. Good exposures of fluvial and lacustrine sediments. Internationally important Cretaceous plant beds.

Buller Gorge uranium find. Map: K29; Classification: B2. Significance: First discovery of uranium lode in NZ. Important because it focussed attention on the Hawkes Crag Breccia as a host rock for uranium mineralisation.

Bullock Creek semi-blind valley. Map: K30; Classification: C2. Significance: Only example of a polje-like enclosed depression in the West Coast region.

Burnett Stream porphyry. Map: L29; Classification: C2. Significance: Easily accessible and fresh exposures of porphyry with abundant xenoliths.

Callaghans Creek Miocene macrofossils. Map: J32; Classification: C2. Significance: Good exposure of fossiliferous Miocene strata.

Callery Gorge. Map: H35; Classification: B3. Significance: A sawcut gorge of particular interest because of its associated history.

Cape Foulwind granite. Map: K29; Classification: C3. Significance: Well exposed typical example of the Karamea Suite granites.

Cape Foulwind granodiorite. Map: K29; Classification: C3. Significance: Well exposed and good example of Karamea Suite granodiorite.

Cape Foulwind mid-Tertiary strata. Map: K29; Classification: C3. Significance: Well exposed Eocene to Oligocene sequence of strata that provides a reference section for the West Coast.

Cape Terrace karst and caves, Kumara. Map: J32; Classification: C2. Significance: Best karst development in Cobden Limestone. Small area with good range of karst features including capture from one catchment to another via underground drainage.

Cascade morainic Plateau. Map: E38; Classification: C3. Significance: The only substantial river mouth dune system and longest spit in southernmost Westland and northernmost Fiordland. One of the few beaches in this largely unmodified region that is not interspersed with rocky reefs.

Cascade Point Pleistocene fossils. Map: E38; Classification: C3. Significance: Only good late Pleistocene (Hawera Series) macrofossils from southern South Island.

Cascade River mouth dune system and spit. Map: E38; Classification: C3. Significance: Exceptional example of a large plateau formed by a series of lateral moraines that provide evidence for the determination of Alpine Fault displacement and coastal uplift rates over the last 3.5 million years.

Cavern Cave (Runanga Cave / Dunollie Cave / Dragon Cave). Map: J31; Classification: C1. Significance: Best known cave developed in calcareous sandstone of Island Sandstone Formation. Contains some speleothems and rare atypical cave fauna.

Charleston beryl. Map: K30; Classification: B3. Significance: Excellent example of large beryl crystals in coarse grained igneous rock.

Charleston coastal section. Map: K29; Classification: C2. Significance: Unusual, bulb-shaped twin bays (Constant and Joyce bays). Further south for up to 1 km, a third smaller bay (Doctor Bay) and a series of deeply incised cuts perpendicular to the coast form one of the most spectacular coastal sections in this area.

Charleston fossil beach gold mining. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: Excellent example of fossil beach mining.

Charleston mica-rich granitetonalite. Map: K29; Classification: B3. Significance: Good example of a locality with large books of mica. Also quartz, feldspar and opaque red garnet.

Charming Creek coal mine and tramway. Map: L28; Classification: C2. Significance: A good example of an early coalmine and tramway.

Clark Bluff folds. Map: G37; Classification: C2. Significance: A good example of synmetamorphic ductile folds.

Cobden quarry Oligocene echinoids. Map: J31; Classification: C3. Significance: Contains rich and diverse fossil echinoids.

Cook River mouth lateral moraines, Fox Glacier. Map: H35; Classification: B3. Significance: One of the best examples of a lateral moraine pair, either side of a former glacier, intersecting the coastline. Northern moraine forms a small peninsula – an unusual feature along this coastline.

Copland River (Welcome Flats) Springs. Map: H36; Classification: C2. Significance: One of few examples of hot springs in area.

Cowan Creek daqingshanite carbonatite. Map: F37; Classification: A3. Significance: The world's second recorded occurrence of the mineral daqingshanite.

Dee and Ram Creeks 1968 fault scarp (Lyell Fault). Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: Recent scarp uplifted during the Inangahua earthquake of 1968 along the Lyell Fault.

Denniston Incline and coal workings. Map: K29; Classification: C2. Significance: One of the earliest and most famous inclines in New Zealand.

Denniston Plateau. Map: K29; Classification: C3. Significance: A barren rocky weakly dissected plateau. An attractive feature, formed due to the existence of a near horizontal resistant rock layer.

Denniston Road conglomerate sequence. Map: K29; Classification: C4. Significance: Well exposed sequence through mid Tertiary strata that contrast with the Cape Foulwind, indicating tectonic activity on Paparoa Tectonic Zone.

Desolation Row columbite and gahnite. Map: L31; Classification: B3. Significance: The only recorded occurrence of columbite mineral in New Zealand.

Devastation Creek. Map: J35; Classification: C3. Significance: Good example of a large scale rock slump.

Diorite Stream hanging valley. Map: E39; Classification: C3. Significance: A good example of a hanging valley..

Douglas Creek ultramafic pods. Map: G37; Classification: B3. Significance: One of the largest exposure of ultramafic pods in greenschist in New Zealand.

Dry Creek pseudotachylite. Map: I34; Classification: B3. Significance: One of the best exposures of pseudotachylite along the Alpine Fault.

Dublin Terrace fault scarp (Lyell Fault). Map: L29; Classification: C2. Significance: Only existing flat area that lies along the trace of the Lyell Fault.

Duffers Creek hapua, Waitaha River mouth. Map: I33; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the longest West Coast hapua still flowing though unspoilt coastal vegetation.

Evans River Alpine Fault exposure. Map: K32; Classification: C3. Significance: Good exposure of schist thrust west over gravels on Alpine Fault.

Fern Flat granite. Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: Type locality of the Fern Flat Granite.

Five Mile dredge tailings. Map: H35; Classification: C2. Significance: Only successful hydraulic powered dredge operation on the West Coast.

Fourteen to Seventeen Mile Bluffs folding. Map: J31; Classification: B3. Significance: Very good examples of folding and cleavage features.

Fox glacier. Map: H35; Classification: A3. Significance: The most easily accessible glacier on the West Coast. One of the two best known tourist glaciers in New Zealand.

Fox Glacier glacierised surface. Map: H35; Classification: C2. Significance: An easily accessible and excellent example of an area of glacierised surfaces.

Fox Glacier rockfall. Map: H35; Classification: C3. Significance: A good example of a small rock fall.

Fox River Cave/Armageddon Cave. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: One of largest cave systems in New Zealand. Good example of joint control in passage development.

Fox River gorge, northern Westland. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: One of four spectacular limestone gorges in northern Westland formed mainly by superimposition of drainage and karst dissolution (the others being the Nile [Waitakere] and Pororari rivers and Bullock Creek).

Fox River mouth Hawks Crag Breccia. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: Good coastal exposure of the Hawks Crag Breccia.

Fox River mouth sea arch. Map: K30; Classification: C2. Significance: One of the most easily viewed examples of a small sea arch on the West Coast of the South Island.

Fox River Springs. Map: H35; Classification: C2. Significance: One of just a few warm springs on teh West Coast.

Franz Josef glacier. Map: H35; Classification: A3. Significance: One of the two most visited tourist glaciers in New Zealand.

Franz Josef glacierised surfaces. Map: H35; Classification: B2. Significance: Easily accessible, well preserved surface recently exposed by retreat of glacier.

Gaunt Creek Alpine Fault overthrust exposure. Map: I35; Classification: A3. Significance: Large exposure of Alpine Fault showing gravels overthrust by schist.

Gentle Annie Point Oligocene structures. Map: L28; Classification: C3. Significance: Good example of folding and faulting.

Gethsemane giant collapse doline, lower Fox River. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: Huge collapsed doline, more than 150 m diameter, with unusual inverted vegetation system.

Gillespies Beach huttonite. Map: H35; Classification: A3. Significance: Type locality for the mineral huttonite.

Gorge River awaruite. Map: E38; Classification: A3. Significance: Type locality for the mineral awaruite.

Granity coke ovens. Map: L28; Classification: C2. Significance: Example of local stone use in coke oven construction.

Greenstone Valley gold workings. Map: K32; Classification: C3. Significance: Site of first West Coast gold rush.

Grey River Eocene sandstone and coal measures. Map: K31; Classification: B3. Significance: Well exposed Eocene sedimentary sequence and formation type locality.

GuillotineHunters Cave, Springs Junction. Map: L31; Classification: C3. Significance: Isolated cave in remote piece of Mt Arthur marble.

Haast relict dune sequence. Map: F37; Classification: B2. Significance: One of the best New Zealand examples of a complete sequence of Holocene relict foredune ridges and intervening swamps in a pristine environment, showing gradual advancement seaward over the last 8000 years. Only significant flat coastal region in the South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area and the most extensive wetland area in New Zealand.

Haast Pass schist section. Map: G38; Classification: A4. Significance: An internationally classic prograde metamorphic sequence, including extensive deformation.

Hare Mare Creek Alpine Fault overthrust. Map: H35; Classification: A3. Significance: Most easily accessible large exposure of Alpine Fault overthrust.

Haupiri River Springs. Map: K32; Classification: C2. Significance:

Hawks Crag breccia. Map: K29; Classification: C3. Significance: Good exposure of the contact between coarse alluvial fan Hawks Crag Breccia and finer alluvial Ohika Formation.

Hawks Crag inselbergs. Map: K29; Classification: C3. Significance: Spectacular steep-sided round-topped hilly protrusions. An unusual landform in New Zealand.

Heaphy River estuary. Map: L26; Classification: C2. Significance: Excellent, unmodified example of a typical West Coast estuary largely surrounded in native forest. Appreciated by all walkers on Heaphy Track.

Heretaniwha Point moraine bluff, South Westland. Map: K33; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the best examples of a number of glacial moraine bluffs along the coast of South Westland truncated by sea erosion. One of the most easily visible from the coastal highway.

Hikimutu Lagoon hapua, Poerua River mouth, South Westland. Map: I34; Classification: C2. Significance: One of the best examples of an unmodified West Coast hapua.

Hills Peak rock slide. Map: K33; Classification: C3. Significance: A well preserved and easily seen example of a rock slide.

Hochstetter Dam, Nelson Creek. Map: K32; Classification: C3. Significance: Example of early dam for industrial water use.

Hokitika Gorge migmatite gneiss. Map: J33; Classification: C2. Significance: Rare example of partially melted granite-gneiss.

Hokitika Tailings goodletite. Map: J32; Classification: B2. Significance: Goodletite rock - a mixture of massive mica, tourmaline and ruby.

Honeycomb Hill natural bridge, Oparara River. Map: L27; Classification: C3. Significance: A spectacular and beautiful limestone natural bridge.

Honeycomb Hill Holocene cave system, Oparara River. Map: L27; Classification: A1. Significance: One of the longest caves (14 km) in New Zealand. Speleogenesis very complex, unique maze system developed by junction of series of inlet streams to submerged sections of the Oparara River. Internationally significant deposits dating from Otiran Glacial and Holocene time periods. Richest and most diverse deposits of bird bones found in New Zealand, including numerous extinct and rare birds, such as the New Zealand eagle.

Ikamatua alluvial terraces. Map: K31; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the two best sets of alluvial terraces on teh West Coast.

Imp Grotto Haast Schist antiform exposure. Map: F37; Classification: C3. Significance: Key exposure for the identification of the antiformal macroscopic fold hinge in Haast Schist.

Inangahua Earthquake slip scar. Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: The most prominant and easily visable result of the 1968 earthquake. Blocked the Buller River when initiated.

Inangahua Junction 1968 fault scarp (Glasgow Fault). Map: L29; Classification: C2. Significance: Recent scarp uplifted during the Inangahua earthquake of 1968 along the Glasgow Fault.

Inchbonnie en-echelon fault scarps (Alpine Fault). Map: K32; Classification: B2. Significance: Excellent example of en-echelon fault scarps displacing alluvial terrace and channels.

Ivory glacierised surfaces and Ivory Lake. Map: J34; Classification: B3. Significance: Good example of glacierised rock surfaces and meltwater lake at toe of a glacier.

Jackson Bay zeta-curve beach. Map: E37; Classification: C3. Significance: Most sheltered embayment and only natural harbour on the West Coast. Forms part of a zeta-curved beach.

Kaiata Creek Eocene fossil sequence. Map: K32; Classification: C3. Significance: Well exposed sequence of fossiliferous Eocene strata, that was selected as the name bearer for the New Zealand Kaiatan Stage.

Kaka Creek Alpine Fault exposure. Map: J34; Classification: A3. Significance: Rare locality where thrusting rate has been determined for the Alpine Fault.

Kaniere River Pliocene fossils. Map: J33; Classification: C4. Significance: Site of rich and diverse Pliocene (Opoitian Stage) fossils.

Kapitea Creek Miocene macrofossils. Map: J32; Classification: B3. Significance: Well exposed fossiliferous sequence through latest Miocene strata that has been selected as the type reference section for this period of time in New Zealand.

Karamea-Otumahana double estuary. Map: J27; Classification: B2. Significance: A large coastal double estuary enclosed by sandspits and barrier islands. One of the largest estuarine systems on the West Coast.

Karoro Brickworks Miocene fossils. Map: J32; Classification: B1. Significance: Diverse and rich middle Miocene (Waiauan) fossils.

Kawhaka Dam. Map: J33; Classification: C2. Significance: Example of early water supply dam for industrial use.

Kehu Stream fluorite. Map: K29; Classification: B3. Significance: Rare and extensive example of fluorite mineralisation.

Kelly Range ravine. Map: K33; Classification: C2. Significance: Spectacular example of accelerated erosion due to uplift.

Kelly Saddle fault traces and ridge rents. Map: K33; Classification: B2. Significance: One of the best exposed patterns of fault traces affected by gravity movements.

Kids Cave avifauna, Charleston. Map: K30; Classification: C2. Significance: Most significant fossil vertebrate Quaternary deposits in the whole Punakaiki karst with a well stratified, mostly undisturbed deposit covering the last 30,000 years.

Kini Creek kyanite. Map: G36; Classification: C3. Significance: The only kyanite locality in Haast Schist.

Kiwi Jack Creek hornfels. Map: H35; Classification: B3. Significance: The best and most accessible exposure of corundum bearing-rocks in New Zealand.

Knights Point marine terrace. Map: F36; Classification: C3. Significance: Good example of one of the few marine terrace remnants on this stretch of coast.

Knights Point stacks. Map: F36; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the most commonly viewed examples of rocky stacks along the spectacular coastline of South Westland.

Kohaihai Bluff Oligocene shallow water fossils. Map: L26; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the few shallow water early Oligocene (Whaingaroan) molluscan fossil faunas in New Zealand.

Kokatahi River Springs. Map: J33; Classification: C2. Significance: One of few hot springs on the West Coast

Kotuku oil seep. Map: K32; Classification: C3. Significance: First oil discovery in the South Island.

Kumara goldfield. Map: J32; Classification: C3. Significance: Last major goldfield discovered on the West Coast.

La Perouse moraine. Map: H36; Classification: B3. Significance: Excellent example of a sequence of moraine loops at toe of a glacier.

Lake Ahaura moraine dammed lake. Map: K32; Classification: C3. Significance: Good example of a lake formed by dams of moraine at both ends.

Lake Brunner lamprophyre dike and alkali-metasomatism. Map: K32; Classification: B3. Significance: Good example of alkali-metasomatism, one of only two examples in North Westland. Rare example of minerals associated with alkali-metasomatism.

Lake Ianthe moraine dammed lake. Map: I34; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the best examples of a lake dammed behind moraine on the West Coast.

Lake Mahinapua moraine dammed lake. Map: J33; Classification: C3. Significance: Good example of a moraine dammed lake on the coastal plain.

Lake Rotoiti moraine dam. Map: N29; Classification: C3. Significance: An excellent example of a moraine-dammed lake with a sequence of terminal moraine showing sucessive glacial advances during the late Pleistocene.

Langdon's Reef antimony mine, Greymouth. Map: K31; Classification: B2. Significance: A rare example of attempts to mine antimony in New Zealand.

Lankey Creek Devonian fossils. Map: L30; Classification: A2. Significance: One of the best sequences of rare fossiliferous Devonian strat in New Zealand.

Larry River terraces. Map: L30; Classification: C2. Significance: One of the most complete aggradationaldegradational terrace sequences on the West Coast.

Little Wanganui River mouth Oligocene debris flows and fossils. Map: L28; Classification: C3. Significance: Excellent exposure of submarine debris flows with granitic sands and boulders set in bioclastic sandstone and mudstone to muddy limestone. Contains unusual fauna of huge brachiopod fossils.

Little Wanganui River Pliocene fossils. Map: L27; Classification: C3. Significance: Site of rich and diverse Miocene-Pliocene macrofossils, the youngest in northern Westland.

Loopline terminal moraine. Map: J32; Classification: B2. Significance: A well defined example of a terminal moraine. Major type location for the definition of glacial stages in New Zealand.

Lower Heaphy Valley karst. Map: L26; Classification: B1. Significance: Largely pristine area of stream sinks, resurgence streams and impressive bluffs developed in Oligocene limestone. Includes Megamania Cave, one of the largest and most impressive cave systems in New Zealand (c. 15 km) and largest in Tertiary limestone. Perhaps the last great cave system to be discovered in New Zealand, and is still very close to its original state. Fossil accumulations in Megamania are more extensive than any in Honeycomb Hill Cave, Karamea, which is considered to be of international significance. Some of the best examples of articulated bird skeletons found in caves in New Zealand. Only known examples of large aragonite spikes protruding from cave walls and ceilings in New Zealand limestone caves.

Lyell Creek gold workings. Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: Good example of historic gold workings on the West Coast.

MacPherson Creek mylonites. Map: J33; Classification: C3. Significance: Good example of mylonitised granitic rocks associated with the Alpine Fault.

Mahinapua dune field. Map: J33; Classification: C2. Significance: One of the most complete dune sequences on the West Coast.

Makawhio River rock block slide. Map: G36; Classification: C3. Significance: A good example of a rock block slide.

Maruia Basin en echelon fold. Map: L31; Classification: B3. Significance: An example of folding related to dextral shear associated with the Alpine Fault.

Maruia Hot Springs. Map: M31; Classification: C2. Significance:

Maruia Paleozoic fossils. Map: M31; Classification: B3. Significance: Unique sequence of strata spanning upper Cambrian to upper Ordovician with rich conodont, mollusc and graptolite fossils.

Maruia River faulted terraces (Alpine Fault). Map: L31; Classification: A2. Significance: Excellent example of progressive displacement of late Quaternary river terraces by movement on the Alpine Fault.

McLaughlins Pit crossbedded sand. Map: K29; Classification: B2. Significance: Easily accessible exposure of cross bedded quartzose sand.

Mitchell's Gully gold workings. Map: K29; Classification: C1. Significance: Very good example of workings in raised beach deposits with tunnel excavations.

Moa Cave, Oparara River. Map: L27; Classification: B1. Significance: Spectacular collection of over 50 moa skeletons in area 30 x 15 m, of age range 20 000 to 13 000 years old.

Moana lateral moraine. Map: K32; Classification: B3. Significance: An easily seen example of a long narrow sinuous moraine standing prominantly above an outwash plain.

Moonraker Antiform chevron folding. Map: E39; Classification: C3. Significance: A classic example of chevron folds in layered rocks.

Moria Gate limestone natural bridge, Oparara River. Map: L27; Classification: C2. Significance: One of several spectacular limestone natural bridges in the area.

Motukiekie Rocks and shore platform, Twelve Mile Bluff. Map: J31; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the West Coast’s most dramatic and most easily accessible coastlines.

Mt Albert fenite. Map: L31; Classification: B3. Significance: Best example of only two known occurences of alkali-metasomatism in North Westland. A rare example of minerals associated with alkali-metasomatism.

Mt Ashmore alluvial fan. Map: I34; Classification: C3. Significance: A visually striking example of an alluvial fan adjacent to main highway.

Mt Durward quartz vein. Map: I34; Classification: C3. Significance: An unusual and well-exposed example of quartz veining

Mt Garibaldi karst. Map: M27; Classification: C3. Significance: Spectacular karst plateau eroded in Tertiary limestone.

Mt Harry cataclasite. Map: J33; Classification: C3. Significance: An excellent example of cataclasite associated with the Alpine Fault.

Mt Inframeta Pounamu Ultramafics. Map: J34; Classification: A3. Significance: The best exposure of the Pounamu Ultramafic belt, metamorphosed ultramafic rocks. Largest naturally occurring diopside crystals in New Zealand associated with these ultramafics.

Mt La Perouse folded schist. Map: H36; Classification: B3. Significance: An example of a large scale fold in the Alpine Schist.

Mt Misery cirques. Map: M28; Classification: B3. Significance: Spectacular cirques are cut into rounded mountains providing a "biscuit board topography".

Mt Radiant copper-molybdenum mine. Map: L28; Classification: B3. Significance: Only molybdenum mine in New Zealand.

Mungo River Springs. Map: J34; Classification: C2. Significance: Cluster of three hot springs.

Murchison 1929 road displacement. Map: L29; Classification: C2. Significance: Well known site of fault scarp that displaced the main highway during the 1929 Murchison earthquake.

Murray Creek gold mines. Map: L30; Classification: C2. Significance: Site of first successful gold-bearing quartz mines on the West Coast.

New River section, Brunner Anticline. Map: J32; Classification: C3. Significance: Excellent example of active folding of aggradation surface.

Ngahere tailings. Map: K31; Classification: C2. Significance: Well preserved example of dredge tailings.

Ngakawau Gorge. Map: L28; Classification: C3. Significance: The deepest and most spectacular coastal river gorge on the West Coast.

Nile River Cave (Ananui or Metro Cave). Map: K30; Classification: B3. Significance: Important example of cave development in conjunction with coastal terrace formation.

Nile (Waitakere) River gorge, Charleston. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: One of four spectacular limestone gorges in northern Westland formed mainly by superimposition of drainage and karst dissolution (the others being the Fox and Pororari rivers and Bullock Creek).

Nine and Twelve Mile Bluffs coal measures. Map: J31; Classification: C3. Significance: Spectacular 60 m vertical cliffs exposing prominant tilted bands of coal measures, conglomerate and sandstone, from Greenland Group through two members of Paparoa Coal Measures.

Ohika hydrothermal metamorphism. Map: K29; Classification: B4. Significance: A unique example of hydrothermal metamorphism associated with a major detachment fault.

Ohinemaka Beach cuspate foreshore. Map: G36; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the best examples on the West Coast of a classic cuspate foreshore.

Okarito Lagoon. Map: H34; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the best examples on the West Coast of a coastal lagoon enclosed by a gravel barrier.

Okuru River faulted terraces (Alpine Fault). Map: F37; Classification: B2. Significance: Best South Westland example of progressive displacement of post glacial terrace surfaces.

Okuru River mouth coastal features, South Westland. Map: F37; Classification: B2. Significance: An unusual occurrence in New Zealand of a complex river mouth system formed by amalgamation of the Hapuka, Okuru and Turnbull Rivers into a single elongated estuary, resembling a hapua-like, coast-parallel ribbon lagoon, all superimposed on one of the largest cuspate forelands in New Zealand. The Hapuka River estuary is an excellent example of a near pristine West Coast estuary system.

Oparara natural bridge (Oparara Arch). Map: L27; Classification: B3. Significance: Largest limestone natural bridge in Australasia.

Oparara Quarry granite. Map: L27; Classification: B3. Significance: An easily accessible quarry exposure of the Karamea Granite.

Open Bay Islands, South Westland. Map: F37; Classification: C3. Significance: Largest islands off the South Island’s West Coast.

Orowaiti raised terraces. Map: K29; Classification: B3. Significance: Classic South Island example of raised marine terraces.

O'Sullivans granite. Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: Typical example of a number of more evolved Karamea Suite plutons.

Otehake River Springs. Map: K33; Classification: C2. Significance: One of few hot springs on the West Coast.

Otira River Springs. Map: K33; Classification: C2. Significance: One of few warm springs on West Coast.

Oweka rock block slide. Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: Very good example of an earthquake triggered, dated block slide which exists at a very low angle.

Paringa Fold (Alpine Fault). Map: G36; Classification: B3. Significance: Good example of active upwarping of aggradation surface along Alpine Fault

Paringa River mouth early Tertiary strata. Map: G36; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the rare exposures of early Tertiary strata (Dannevirke Series) in Westland.

Paringa volcanic breccia. Map: G36; Classification: C3. Significance: Example of slump deposit from actively erupting submarine volcano.

Payne Creek granodiorite. Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: Complete section through a single intrusion.

Perpendicular Point Eocene crab and echinoid fossils. Map: K30; Classification: A3. Significance: 'Crab bed' with fossil fauna of diverse crabs and echinoids. One of richest fossil crab localities in New Zealand.

Perpendicular Point vertical sea cliff. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: A prominent 30 m high vertical sea cliff capped by a flat marine terrace.

Point Elizabeth mid Tertiary fossiliferous sediments. Map: J31; Classification: B3. Significance: Excellent, well-exposed section through a late Eocene and Oligocene sequence of strata that have been selected as the type reference section for this period of time in New Zealand.

Porarari River gorge, Punakaiki. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: One of four spectacular limestone gorges in northern Westland formed mainly by superimposition of drainage and karst dissolution (the others being the Fox and Nile [Waitakere] rivers and Bullock Creek).

Porarari River uranium. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: Rare occurrence in New Zealand of concentration of uranium minerals.

Profanity Cave, Inangahua. Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: Cave of local significance for diversity of passage morphology.

Punakaiki pancake rocks, Dolomite Point. Map: K30; Classification: B2. Significance: Spectacular and unusual thinly plated limestone eroded by the sea ('Pancake Rocks'), and blowholes, which have become a prominant tourist attraction.

Punakaiki River cordierite. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: A rare occurrence of fresh cordierite mineral.

Rainy Creek Devonian fossils. Map: L30; Classification: A2. Significance: One of the best fossiliferous Devonian sequences in New Zealand.

Rewanui Incline and coal mines. Map: K31; Classification: C2. Significance: A well preserved and accessible example of a major coal mine on the West Coast.

Ross alluvial gold mine. Map: J33; Classification: C3. Significance: Good example of a deep lead alluvial gold mine; an example of the early industrial use of electricity.

Rotomanu roche moutonnee. Map: K32; Classification: C2. Significance: Three roche moutonnee, the largest one 100 m high, important as they are easily accesible and easily seen.

Sabot Creek, Bald Hill Range Thrust. Map: J34; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the earliest expressions of reverse-oblique slip of the Alpine Fault.

Saddle Creek blastomylonite. Map: J33; Classification: C3. Significance: Blastomylonite

Saltwater Lagoon, South Westland. Map: I34; Classification: C3. Significance: An excellent example of a natural coastal lagoon unaffected by artificial outlet openings. One of the largest lagoons on the West Coast.

Seal Cave, Gorge River. Map: D38; Classification: C2. Significance: One of the best caves developed in rare limestone of South Westland. Unusual cave formed by the sea and now being modified by karst processes. Also unusual in that it has developed in allochthonous limestone.

Selbourne Spur uplifted wave cut platforms (Alpine Fault). Map: F38; Classification: B3. Significance: Well preserved examples of some of the 11 terrace levels recognised along the Southern Alps and uplifted by the Alpine Fault.

Shamrock Creek gold workings. Map: J32; Classification: C3. Significance: Site of early gold rush, good example of a variety of gold workings.

Shantytown gold workings. Map: J32; Classification: C3. Significance: Good representative example of beach lead workings against a fossil cliff.

Ship Creek basalt. Map: F37; Classification: C3. Significance: Well exposed and good example of columnar-jointed basalt lava flow.

Slippery Rock Alpine Fault exposure. Map: H35; Classification: B3. Significance: Easily accessible exposure of Alpine Fault and offsets of ice-smoothed rock faces.

Smith Gorge, Fraser Complex. Map: J33; Classification: C3. Significance: Evidence for deep-level movement on the Alpine Fault.

Speargrass Fault Zone. Map: N29; Classification: A3. Significance: Part of the Median Tectonic Zone (eastern contact of Median Batholith), an excellent example of fault rocks.

Springs Junction Devonian road section. Map: L30; Classification: A3. Significance: One of the best and most easily accessible Devonian sequences in New Zealand.

Stockton structural detachment. Map: L28; Classification: C2. Significance: An example of structural detachment.

Stony Creek lime kiln, Reefton. Map: L30; Classification: C2. Significance: One of the few surviving lime kilns on the West Coast.

Strongman Mine. Map: J31; Classification: C4. Significance: Largest underground coal mine in the Greymouth Coalfield.

Taipo River (Fraser) Springs. Map: K33; Classification: C2. Significance: One of few hot springs on the West Coast.

Taipo Spur molybdenite. Map: M28; Classification: B3. Significance: A spectacular occurrence of molybdenite.

Tansey Moraine section, Brunner Anticline. Map: J32; Classification: C3. Significance: Excellent example of active folding of young aggradation surface.

Taramakau serpentinite stone quarry. Map: K33; Classification: C3. Significance: Only attempt to mine serpentinite as a building stone in New Zealand.

Taramakau tailings. Map: J32; Classification: C3. Significance: One of the best examples of gold mining dredge tailings sites on the West Coast.

Tauranga Bay tombolo, Cape Foulwind. Map: K29; Classification: C3. Significance: The only significant tombolo on the West Coast.

Tawharekiri Lakes salt pan and blowout. Map: F37; Classification: B2. Significance: A unique area of salt pans and blowout.

Te Ana Puta Cave, Point Elizabeth. Map: J31; Classification: C2. Significance: Both a sea cave and karst cave. At high tide, the visual, sound and air compression effects in the second sea cave, when viewed from the inner cave above, make this cave unique.

Te Miko coastal section, Punakaiki. Map: K29; Classification: C3. Significance: Spectacular section of rocky coast, pocket beaches and large sea caves carved into fossiliferous limestone.

Te Tahi Cave, Charleston. Map: K30; Classification: C2. Significance: Fossil whale bones in limestone exposed in cave. Good example of horizontal vadose streamway. Easily accessible.

Three Mile Hill roche moutonnee. Map: J32; Classification: C3. Significance: Good example of roche moutonnee hill.

Three Steeples stacks and Black Reef, Cape Foulwind. Map: K29; Classification: C3. Significance: Some of the best examples of stacks off the northern West Coast.

Tiropahi alluvial terraces. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: An extensive flight of at least five alluvial terraces over a distance of 5 km. Important as it is a complete alluvial sequence.

Tiropahi gorge. Map: K30; Classification: C2. Significance: An unusual deep coastal gorge cut through limestones.

Tiropahi River giant crystals. Map: K30; Classification: B2. Significance: Excellent and rare example of giant quartz and feldspar crystals and smaller rare green beryl.

Toaroha River (Cedar Flats) Springs. Map: J33; Classification: C2. Significance: One of few hot springs on West Coast associated with sinter deposition.

Torea Rocks brecciated granite. Map: L28; Classification: B3. Significance: Type of breccia unique in New Zealand.

Totara Lagoon hapua, Ross. Map: J33; Classification: B2. Significance: One of the longest hapua in New Zealand.

Trig FZ exposure of Alpine Fault. Map: M31; Classification: B2. Significance: Good exposure of Alpine Fault with schist overthrust on granites.

Uranium Creek coffinite. Map: K29; Classification: B3. Significance: One of best examples in New Zealand of in situ uranium mineralisation.

Waiho River (Franz Josef) Springs. Map: H35; Classification: C2. Significance: One of few warm spring on the West Coast.

Waiho River moraine loop. Map: H35; Classification: A2. Significance: One of the most scientifically important glacial deposits/landforms in New Zealand, and is of high international scientific significance. This arcuate ridge is one of the best known terminal moraines in New Zealand and among one of the best-known worldwide. It has particular scientific significance as marking the terminus of the Franz Josef glacier during a major glacier advance approximately 12,000 years ago.

Waiho Valley alpine schist. Map: H35; Classification: A3. Significance: Superb ice-polished exposures of garnet-zone schist, showing ductile and brittle structures.

Waiho Valley cummingtonite. Map: H35; Classification: B3. Significance: One of New Zealand's best exposures of the mineral cummingtonite.

Waikukupa thrust complex. Map: H35; Classification: A3. Significance: One of the best examples in the world of duplex structures on an active fault.

Waita River mouth lagoon and dune barrier. Map: F37; Classification: C2. Significance: Excellent example of a deflected river mouth and sequence of dunes and former mouths.

Waitaha River Hot Spring. Map: I34; Classification: C2. Significance: One of several hot springs coming up near Alpine Fault.

Waitahu River Devonian section. Map: L30; Classification: A2. Significance: One of best exposed Devonian sequences in New Zealand.

Wanganui River Springs. Map: I34; Classification: C2. Significance: One of several warm springs in area.

Westport marine terraces. Map: K29; Classification: C3. Significance: Best West Coast examples of raised marine terraces.

Whakapoai Point fluorite. Map: L26; Classification: B3. Significance: One of the best exposures in New Zealand of an extensive fluorite deposit.

Whale Creek granite. Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: Typical example of the more mafic varieties of granite in the Karamea Suite.

Whataroa (Perth River) Springs. Map: I35; Classification: C2. Significance: One of two hot springs on the Perth River.

White Creek Fault displaced terraces. Map: L29; Classification: B2. Significance: Easily seen terrace sequence faulted by single (Murchison Earthquake) movement on the White Creek Fault.

White Horse Creek ultramylonites. Map: K30; Classification: B3. Significance: The best example of ultramylonitised granitoid rocks in New Zealand.

White Horse Creek uplifted sea cave. Map: K30; Classification: C1. Significance: A sea cave several metres above present sea level, from which Quaternary uplift can be estimated for this part of the Buller District.

Whitecliffs bluffs. Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: Inland 30-100 m high easily visable white limestone bluffs.

Whitecliffs Oligocene hardground. Map: L29; Classification: C3. Significance: Well exposed phosphatisd and nodular shellbed and hardground.

Woodpecker Bay mid Tertiary fossils. Map: K30; Classification: C3. Significance: Beds containing diverse fossil faunas through thick late Eocene and Oligocene (Kaiatan to Whaingaroan) section. Locality of first find of fossil penguin bone in New Zealand. Important Eocene-Oligocene sequence.

Woods Creek alluvial gold workings. Map: K32; Classification: C2. Significance: Good example of underground alluvial mining.

Xanadu CaveBullock CreekCave Creek South. Map: K30; Classification: B3. Significance: Excellent example of phreatic maze development.

Yorkey Creek Devonian fossils. Map: L30; Classification: A2. Significance: One of just a few good Devonian fossil areas in New Zealand.