Outline of a palynological zonation of Cretaceous to Paleogene terrestrial sediments in West Coast region

Five major biostratigraphic units, two of which are subdivided, are defined for Motuan (Late Albian) to Landon (Oligocene) terrestrial sediments mainly of the Pororari and Pakawau Groups and Beebys and Otumotu Formations, and Brunner and Paparoa Coal Measures. The units based on relative uniformaity of microscope dominanace and ranges of key species, are: Lycopodiacidites bullerensis Assemblage (Motuan); Trichotomosulcites subgranulatus Assemblage (Motuan to ?Mangaotanean); Phyllocladidites mawsonii Assemblage, with Zomes PM1 (?Mangaotanean to ?Piripauan), PM2 (?Piripauan to Maumaruian), PM3 Teurian to Waipawan): Myricipites harisii Assemblage, with Zones MH1 (Waipawan to ?Porangan), MH2 (?Poranga to Kaiatan), MH3 (Kaiatan); and Nothofagus matauraensis Assemblage (late Kaiatan to Landon series). The distribution of the units in the West Coast region, and correlation within NZ and with southern Australian paleobotanical biozones are briefly reviewed. Comprehensive tavles of species occurance by Zone and of paleobotanical collections r cincluded.