DETRITAL ZIRCON AGE PATTERNS AND PROVENANCE IN LATE PALEOZOIC EARLY MESOZOIC NEW-ZEALAND TERRANES AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PALEO-PACIFIC GONDWANA MARGIN

Permian-Triassic strata from Parapara Peak in the Takaka terrane, west ern province, New Zealand, are dominated by detrital zircon peaks at c a. 240 Ma comparable to the Torlesse terrane of the eastern province, This contrasts with lower Paleozoic strata (Onekaka schist), which is comparable to other lower Paleozoic terranes (including adjacent Bulle r terrane) from the Gondwana margin that are characterized by detrital zircon patterns with characteristic peaks at ca, 500-650 Ma and ca. 1 000-1150 Ma, a less distinct peak around 1400-1700 Ma, and scattered A rchean ages. These data indicate the close proximity of the eastern an d western provinces by Permian time and a probable source region of Pa rapara Peak strata and Torlesse terrane in the New England fold belt o f southeast Australia.