“A Photographic Guide to Rocks and Minerals of New Zealand” (2011)

This book, published in 2011, has been written by three employees of GNS Science, Nick Mortimer (a geologist), Hamish Campbell (a palaeontologist) and Margaret Low (a science photographer). GNS Science is a Crown Research Institute, New Zealand’s “leading provider of Earth, geoscience and isotope research and consultancy services”. According to the GNS Science website, the Institute’s role is “to understand natural Earth system processes and resources, and to translate these into economic, environmental and social benefits” for the nation.

This book measures 19 cm by 10 cm, has quite a small font size, and consists of 143 pages, in what is referred to on the back cover as a “compact field-guide format”, able to be carried in a knapsack or even back pocket. It sells for NZ$25.99 on the GNS publications web-page but can be purchased in many other places online and off.   

The first 21 pages contains an overview of minerals and rocks. This is followed by a large section of 112 pages of descriptions and photographs of different minerals and rocks to be found in New Zealand. The photographs are numerous and excellent. The text is to the point, readable, and often refers to places in New Zealand where various minerals and rocks are to be found.

Author: tumblestoneblog

Retired Academic, male, living in the New Zealand countryside near Whanganui with his wife as well as Jasper the dog, Fluffy the cat, Dancer and Penny, the horses, and a shed half-full of stones. Email john.tumblestone@gmail.com. View all posts by tumblestoneblog