Heron, D.W.; Medd, L.; Wyss, R.J. 1989 Sheet QM 341 Kapiti : geological resource map of New Zealand 1:250,000. Lower Hutt: New Zealand Geological Survey. New Zealand Geological Survey report M 166. 49 p.
Abstract
The Kapiti sheet covers the southern North Island and the northeastern South Island from Palmerston North to Blenheim. A wide variety of metallic and non-metallic mineral resources occur within the sheet, but exploitation has been limited by the low grade or small size of the deposits, by limited demand, and by high transport costs. Historically, gold has been won from alluvial gravel and quartz lodes in the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington, and from quartz lodes in the southern Wairarapa. Antimony has been mined and smelted in the Marlborough Sounds, and copper mined on D'Urville Island. Current mineral production is essentially restricted to quarrying of rock and gravel for construction, roading, and fill, and quarrying of limestone for agricultural use. Wells tap groundwater from major aquifer systems in the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, and Blenheim areas. Recent investigations have been directed at gold in Mesozoic Torlesse rocks near Wellington, at gold in alluvial gravel in Marlborough, and at metallic mineralisation in the mafic and ultramafic rocks on D'Urville Island. Future potential exists in the use of limestone in industry and for roading, and of beach and river gravel for aggregate.
