Redefinition and interpretation of late Miocene‐Pleistocene terrestrial stratigraphy, Central Otago, New Zealand

Abstract The stratigraphic succession in eastern Central Otago consists of Eocene quartzose fluvial sediments and middle Tertiary marine strata (Onekakara Group), early‐middle Miocene quartzose fluvial sediments and lake deposits (Manuherikia Group), late Miocene‐Pliocene immature sandstones and conglomerates, and Quaternary terrace and fan gravels. Published literature contains at least 20 different approaches for subdivision of this succession. The late Miocene‐Pliocene conglomerates were formed during the rise of fault‐bounded greywacke and semischist mountain ranges. Conspicuous conglomerates in the upper part of this succession are widely referred to as Maori Bottom Formation, but that name was originally applied by miners to a locally auriferous erosion surface beneath Quaternary terrace and fan gravels in Otago. In addition, the term is culturally offensive. We propose the name Hawkdun Group for the late Miocene‐Pliocene succession of tectonically generated sediments in the Maniototo, Ida, and Manu...