Ash beds of rhyolitic composition older than the Rerewhakaaitu Ash are described (in order of increasing age) for the central North Island of New Zealand. For convenience the ash beds down to the Rerewhakaaitu Ash (c. 14,700 yr B.P.) are included in the Holocene and the older ash beds (Okareka, Te Rere, Oruanui, Mangaonjf and Rotoehu) are referred to the late Pleistocene, the age of Rotoehu Ash being greater than c. 41,000 yr B.P.