Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark

Celebrating Earth Heritage

The geopark offers exceptional insights into the history of the Earth’s eighth continent, Zealandia, or Te Riu-a-Māui in Maori. The geopark provides evidence of the formation of Zealandia, which broke away from the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana around 80 million years ago. The continent then became submerged under the ocean for millions of years before tectonic forces thrust New Zealand above the waves and the country’s current mountain-building phase began. Today, about 94% of Zealandia remains submerged, stretching from east of New Zealand all the way north to New Caledonia.

Characteristics

Designation date
2023
Country(ies)
Transnational
No
Area (ha)
721,400
Population
22,300
Density
3
Links