A Late Quaternary palynological and sedimentological record from two coastal swamps at southern Kaitoke, Great Barrier Island, New Zealand.

Pollen and sediment analyses of two cores from southern Kaitoke (Forsythes’ Paddock and Blackwells Bush), Great Barrier Island, show that at c 7500 cal yr B P, the area was an estuary with tidal flats and Avicennia By c 3000 cal yr B P, a Restionaceae (Leptocarpus) salt marsh had developed in the estuary as marine influences lessened By c cal 2550 yr B P, tresh water swamp (Cypencede‐Gleichenia‐Leptospermum) had replaced the salt marsh Conifer‐hardwood forest surrounding the southern Kaitoke sites from c 7500‐c 2800 cal yrBP was dominated by Dacrydium Mettosideros and Libocedius After c 2800 cal yr B P, Metrosideros was replaced by Agathis, Pin llocladm and Prumnopitvs taxifolta, suggesting climatic change to more variable conditions The presence ot the Kaharoa Tephra suggests that major Polynesian deforestation at southern Kaitoke began c 600 cal yr B P Minor pre‐Kaharoa fire disturbance is evident c 1750 cal yr B P and c 1290–970 cal yr B P

Keywords:

• palynology
• sedimentology
• Late Quaternary
• Holocene
• coastal geomorphology
• disturbance
• Kaharoa Ttphra
• Rotoehu Tephra
• Great Barrier Island

Notes

Centre for Archaeological Research, University of Auckland Private Bag 92 010, Auckland New Zealand

School of Environmental & Marine Sciences, University ot Auckland Private Bag 92–019, Auckland New Zealand

Department of Geography University of Auckland, Private Bag 92–019, Auckland, New Zealand

Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences Private Bag 2000 Taupo, New Zealand