
Kennedy, E.M. 2004 Review of Late Cretaceous climate of the Taranaki Basin . Lower Hutt: Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences. Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences science report 2004/34 20 p.
Abstract: Taranaki Basin has been a focus of increasing interest over several decades because of its significant petroleum reserves and production. The importance of gaining a better understanding of the controls of organic composition, climate and other environmental factors on the potential for petroleum generation has been recognised. The primary source rocks of the Taranaki reserves are of Late Cretaceous age. This report reviews current knowledge of the New Zealand climate during deposition of these source rocks. Few quantitative climate studies have been undertaken on Late Cretaceous New Zealand deposits, but those few combined with qualitative climate inferences suggest that Late Cretaceous climate of Taranaki Basin was cool-mild temperate, with mean annual temperatures in the range of 12-16°C and abundant rainfall. (auth)