Split Apple Rock

{{Short description|Rock formation of New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} [[File:The split apple rock (4448821244).jpg|thumbnail|right|Split Apple Rock]] [[File:Split Apple Rock 2019.jpg|thumb|Split Apple Rock 2019]]

'''Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock''' is a rock formation in [[Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere]] off the northern coast of the [[South Island]] of New Zealand. Made of [[granite]] from the [[cretaceous]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://macrostrat.org/map/#/z=13.7/x=173.0301/y=-41.0169/bedrock/lines/|title=Macrostrat|website=macrostrat.org|access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> it is in the shape of an apple which has been cut in half. The cleft to produce two sides of the 'apple' was a naturally occurring [[Joint (geology)|joint]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://the-earth-story.com/post/135416022784/split-apple-rock-sitting-pretty-just-off|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121161751/http://the-earth-story.com/post/135416022784/split-apple-rock-sitting-pretty-just-off|url-status=usurped|archive-date=21 November 2018|title=Split Apple Rock|access-date=21 November 2018|website=The Earth Story|language=en}}</ref> Joints occur commonly in granite and are planes of weakness that rain and waves exploit. The traditional Māori myth for the formation describes two gods breaking apart the rock.<ref name="Legend">{{cite web|url=http://www.intltravelnews.com/2013/01/split-apple-rock-south-island-new-zealand|title=Split Apple Rock, South Island, New Zealand|publisher=Www.intltravelnews.com|accessdate=12 May 2013}}</ref>

It is a popular tourist attraction in the waters of Tasman Bay, approximately 50 metres off the coast between [[Kaiteriteri]] and [[Mārahau]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Split Apple Rock|url=http://www.wonderwalkers.co.nz/default,1924,split-apple-rock.sm|publisher=Www.wonderwalkers.co.nz|accessdate=12 May 2013}}</ref> The rock sits in shallow water at low tide and is accessible by wading. It is also a point of interest for the many tourist boats and pleasure craft which operate along the shores of the [[Abel Tasman National Park]]. The name Split Apple Rock was made official in 1988, and was officially altered to Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock in August 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.linz.govt.nz/regulatory/place-names/recent-place-name-decisions-and-place-names-interest/nzgb-decisions-august |title=NZGB decisions |date=August 2014 |publisher=Land Information New Zealand |accessdate=6 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121203027/http://www.linz.govt.nz/regulatory/place-names/recent-place-name-decisions-and-place-names-interest/nzgb-decisions-august |archivedate=21 November 2015 }}</ref>

==See also== *[[List of rock formations of New Zealand]]

==References== {{commons category|Split Apple Rock}} {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Split Apple Rock}} [[Category:Rock formations of New Zealand]] [[Category:Islands of the Tasman District]] [[Category:Islands of Tasman Bay]]