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Story: Rock and mineral names

Papa cliffs, Hawke’s Bay

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Papa cliffs, Hawke’s Bay

North of Cape Turnagain the cliffs of soft grey mudstone (papa rock) are being rapidly eroded by the sea, forming impressive cliffs and gullies. Similar soft rock underlies large areas throughout New Zealand, and is highly susceptible to erosion and landslides during heavy rainfall.

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GNS Science

Reference: CN7459/20

by Lloyd Homer

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How to cite this page

Simon Nathan, Rock and mineral names – Local names, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/9069/papa-cliffs-hawkes-bay (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Simon Nathan, published 2 March 2009.