Kawerau Ignimbrite: a 0.24 Ma ignimbrite erupted from the Okataina calderacomplex, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

"Sandy black" ignimbrites within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand, are often incorrectly correlated. One of these ignimbrites was considered to be the lateral equivalent of the Kaingaroa Ignimbrite, but an integrated stud y of field geology, lithic componentry, mineralogy, and geochemistry of juv enile pumices has shown the ignimbrite is a separate unit, here termed the Kawerau Ignimbrite, with a source hi the southern part of the Okataina cald era complex. The ignimbrite comprises two subunits that locally grade into each other: a lower partially welded "sandy black" ignimbrite and an upper tan-buff pumice-poor ignimbrite. Mineralogy and whole-rock pumice geochemis try indicate significant compositional variation with two magma types: a hi gh-silica rhyolite (type A) and a dacite (type B). Both magma types show an omalously high Zr, Zn, and Hf, with type-B pumice having similar values to weakly peralkaline rhyolites. The study highlights the importance of integr ating all study methods before correlating units of apparent similar lithol ogy.