| The Murihiku Terrane is one of several Permian to early Cretaceous tectonostratigraphic terranes comprising the basement underlying New Zealand. |
| Part of this complexity can be related to the presence of irregularities on the subducting plates, such as aseismic ridges and arc terranes. |
| Based on tectonostratigraphic, palaeomagnetic and palacobiogeographical studies, complex assemblies of terranes have been recognized. |
| These rocks are also of biogeographic interest because unlike truly allochthonous terranes they are parautochthonous with respect to the craton. |
| The geology of New Zealand is divided into at least eight terranes of regional extent and a number of smaller tectonic slices. |
| The basement of the Precordillera and Chilenia terranes are Grenville-age igneous and metamorphic rocks. |
