In the lower Waipara Gorge, North Canterbury, sediments ranging in age from Awamoan to Holocene form a sequence about 4000 ft thick. There is an unconformity below the Waitotaran, and no Taranaki Series is present. Marine sedimentation gave way to nOh-marine about the beginning of the Nukumaruan. Two new formations are established; the Double Corner Shell-beds of Waiauan age, and the Greenwood Formation of Waitotaran to possibly Nukumaruan age. The marine sediments contain rich molluscan faunas.