Hoop Pine fossils – dry rainforest in New Zealand’s Miocene

Araucaria fossil shoot from Miocene Manuherikia Group of New Zealand.

In a little patch of shale, continually flaking onto the road near Bannockburn (central South Island, New Zealand), there are the unmistakable fossils like Australian ‘hoop pine’ shoots. Hoop pines are members of the tree family which includes ‘monkey puzzles’, ‘bunyas’ and the ‘Norfolk Island Pines’. The Latin name is Araucaria – New Zealand has none of… Continue reading Hoop Pine fossils – dry rainforest in New Zealand’s Miocene

Supplejack – a survivor from the Miocene in New Zealand

Fossil Ripogonum from New Zealand Miocene Manuherikia Group

The first time I ever slept-out (sleeping bag, no tent), I was about four years old, and the place was an idyllic spot on the banks of Pipson Creek, just outside of Makarora. Its on the road to the West Coast from Wanaka/Hawea. One of my memories of that family holiday was swinging on a… Continue reading Supplejack – a survivor from the Miocene in New Zealand