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 c al. 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., fresh water swamp (Cyperaceae-Gleichenia-Leptospermum) had replaced the salt mars h. Conifer-hardwood forest surrounding the southern Kaitoke sites from c. 7 500-c. 2800 cal. yr B.P. was dominated by Dacrydium, Metrosideros and Liboc edrus. After c. 2800 cal. yr B.P., Metrosideros was replaced by Agathis, Ph yllocladus and Prumnopitys taxifolia, suggesting climatic change to more va riable conditions. The presence of the Kaharoa Tephra suggests that major P olynesian deforestation at southern Kaitoke began c. 600 cal. yr B.P. Minor pre-Kaharoa Fire disturbance is evident c. 1750 cat. yr B.P. and c. 1290-9 70 cal. yr B.P.