Holocene pollen diagrams from Pauatahanui Inlet, Porirua, New Zealand

Abstract

Abstract Pollen analysis of two radiocarbon-dated sequences in Pauatahanui Basin, on the west coast of southern North Island, shows that for the last 8000 years or more a Dacrydium cupressinum-dominant broadleaf-podocarp forest existed in the area. During this period D. cupressinum has slowly declined in favour of Podocarpus, Noihofagus “fusca” beech, and Metrosideros. Ascarina lucida also slowly declined. This suggests a slow deterioration of the climate, particularly from about 5000 years ago, probably due to increased frostiness and summer droughts. Knightia excelsa pollen is recorded only in the top half of both sequences. Its arrival is dated at approximately 3400 years b.p. The top of the sequences, where pollen and spores of Pteridium aquilinum, Gramineae, Compositae (Liguliflorae), Pinus, and Cupressus are abundant, clearly show the arrival of Polynesian and European man into the area. The broadleaf-podocarp forest at Pauatahanui was contemporary with a beech forest (at Wallace-ville) and beech-po...