Story: Marlborough region

Rangitoto argillite

Rangitoto ki te Tonga (D’Urville Island) was a centre for making argillite adzes (cutting tools), which have been found around the North and South islands. Argillite is a metamorphosed sandstone highly suitable for chipping. It is found on the island and in the neighbouring mainland ranges, but nowhere else in New Zealand.

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How to cite this page:

Malcolm McKinnon, 'Marlborough region - Early Māori history', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/31748/rangitoto-argillite (accessed 5 May 2024)

Story by Malcolm McKinnon, updated 1 Nov 2016