Story: Geology – overview

Table Cape (also known as Kahutara Point) is a gently sloping marine terrace on Māhia Peninsula. This surface formed at sea level by wave erosion during the last interglacial period, about 125,000 years ago. It has been uplifted and tilted by many past earthquakes.

The same terrace is preserved close to the coast at many places around New Zealand. With a broad view of the surrounding sea and land, such sites were favoured by Māori for the construction of pā.