# Boulder Bank > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Boulder_Bank > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Boulder_Bank.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder_Bank > Source revision: 1292883390 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Coastal landform in Nelson, New Zealand Start of the Boulder Bank at Mackay Bluff with Nelson in the distance The **Boulder Bank** ([Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_language): *Te Taero a Keropa* or *Te Tāhuna o Tama-i-ea*) is a very unusual naturally formed landform in [Nelson](/source/Nelson%2C_New_Zealand), [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand). It is a 13 km (8.1 mi) long stretch of [rocky](/source/Rock_(geology)) substrate which begins at the [Mackay Bluff](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mackay_Bluff&action=edit&redlink=1) and ends at **the Cut** of the Nelson [Harbour](/source/Harbour). [Haulashore Island](/source/Haulashore_Island) was once a part of the Boulder Bank, but the Cut made it an island, and it is no longer connected to the Boulder Bank. The Boulder Bank separates [Tasman Bay](/source/Tasman_Bay_%2F_Te_Tai-o-Aorere) and the [Nelson Haven](/source/Nelson_Haven) and is managed as a scenic reserve by the [Department of Conservation](/source/Department_of_Conservation_(New_Zealand)). Land access is gained along Boulder Bank Drive, signposted at the northern end of Nelson Haven on [State Highway 6](/source/State_Highway_6_(New_Zealand)). ## Geology and geography The Boulder Bank is composed of [granodiorite](/source/Granodiorite).[1] The source of this rock is Mackay Bluff. It is still debated what process or processes have resulted in this odd structure. [Longshore drift](/source/Longshore_drift), however, is the most accepted hypothesis for creation. The main objection to longshore drift as the explanation is that Tasman Bay does not receive enough wave action to move the large boulders in a south-westerly direction. Studies have been conducted since 1892 to determine speed of boulder movement. Rates of the top course [gravel](/source/Gravel) movement have been estimated at 7.5 m (25 ft) a year.[1] Boulder Bank panorama from [Kaka Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kaka_Hill&action=edit&redlink=1), December 2007 ## The Cut The Cut was made to enable the Nelson port to allow the increasing demands of sea transport for the [Tasman](/source/Tasman%2C_New_Zealand) area. Construction started in 1903 and in 1905 a 61 m (200 ft) wide entrance was operational.[2] Today the Cut is 150 m (490 ft) wide and [dredged](/source/Dredging) every six months to maintain a depth of 10 m (33 ft).[2] ## Lighthouse Boulder Bank Lighthouse was the country's second permanent lighthouse. The [Boulder Bank Lighthouse](/source/Boulder_Bank_Lighthouse) was erected in 1862.[3] It is located near the port end of the Boulder Bank and was New Zealand's second permanent lighthouse. It is registered with the [Historic Places Trust](/source/New_Zealand_Historic_Places_Trust) as a category I structure with registration number 41.[4] ## Notes 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Nelson_Boulder_Bank_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Nelson_Boulder_Bank_1-1) M.R. Johnston (2001). ["Nelson Boulder Bank"](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F00288306.2001.9514924). *New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics*. **44**: 79–88. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/00288306.2001.9514924](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F00288306.2001.9514924). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-History_&_Natural_History_of_the_Boulder_Bank._Nelson_Haven_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-History_&_Natural_History_of_the_Boulder_Bank._Nelson_Haven_2-1) Cawthron Institute (1976). *History & Natural History of the Boulder Bank. Nelson Haven*. Nelson, New Zealand: Cawthron Institute. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZ's_Lighthouse_3-0)** Phillips, Mark (2005). ["New Zealand Lighthouses"](http://www.newzealandlighthouses.com/nelson_boulder_bank.htm). Retrieved 1 December 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZHPT_41_4-0)** ["Boulder Bank Lighthouse"](https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/41/41). *New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero*. [Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand). Retrieved 24 April 2014. ## References - Hartstein, ND and Warren Dickinson, W (2005) [Wave energy and clast transport in eastern Tasman Bay, New Zealand](https://archive.today/20110813203214/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112605806/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0) *[Earth Surface Processes and Landforms](/source/Earth_Surface_Processes_and_Landforms)*, 31:6 (703–714). - Warren, Karen. *Rolling Stones: Nelson's Boulder Bank, Its Place in Our History and Hearts*, 320 pp, 2009, Nikau Press, Nelson, New Zealand. ## External links - [The story of the Boulder Bank](https://web.archive.org/web/20090506055245/http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/WhakatuTribes/2/ENZ-Resources/Standard/1/en) - [The Nelson Boulder Bank](https://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/MarineEnvironments/CoastalShoreline/1/ENZ-Resources/Standard/5/en) v t e Nelson, New Zealand Suburbs Nelson North Atawhai Brooklands Dodson Valley Glenduan Hira Marybank Todds Valley Wakapuaka Nelson Central Beachville Bishopdale Britannia Heights The Brook The Grampians Maitai Nelson Central Nelson East Nelson South Port Nelson Stepneyville Toi Toi / Victory Village Washington Valley The Wood Tāhunanui-Port Hills Annesbrook Enner Glynn Moana Tāhunanui Tasman Heights Wakatu Stoke Greenmeadows Park Maitlands Monaco Nayland Saxton Stoke Geographic features Arrow Rock Boulder Bank Bryant Range Delaware Bay Haulashore Island Pepin Island Rotokura / Cable Bay Whangamoa Saddle Facilities and attractions Amber House Botanical Gardens Boulder Bank Lighthouse Brook Waimārama Sanctuary Cabragh House Christ Church Cathedral Dun Mountain Railway Fairfield House Freezing Works railway station Horoirangi Marine Reserve Melrose House Nelson Airport Nelson Provincial Museum Rutherford Hotel Wakapuaka Cemetery Government Mayor 2016 2019 City Council 2022 2025 Organisations Cawthron Institute Nelson Brass Academy Nelson Garrison Band Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Nelson Railway Society World of Wearable Art Schools Garin College Nayland College Nelson College Nelson College for Girls Nelson Central School Media The Colonist Fifeshire FM The Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle The Nelson Mail The Planet 97FM Potton & Burton Radio Nelson Iwi Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui Ngāti Kōata Ngāti Kuia Rangitāne o Wairau Ngāti Rārua Ngāti Tama ki Te Tau Ihu Ngāti Toa Rangatira [41°14′04″S 173°17′47″E / 41.2344°S 173.2964°E / -41.2344; 173.2964](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Boulder_Bank¶ms=41.2344_S_173.2964_E_region:NZ_type:landmark_dim:5000) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Boulder Bank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder_Bank) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder_Bank?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.