New major oxide, trace element and isotopic analyses of basal tic lavas from the Tangihua Complex, Northland, New Zealand, have led to the development of a new model explaining the generation of the Tangihua Complex ophiolite and a new interpretation of the tectonic setting of New Zealand during the Cretaceous. New 40 ArP9 Ar dates from the Tangihua Complex confirm their age of formation is most likley ±100Ma and they have suffered a major episode of alteration at ±30Ma, which most likely corresponds to the age of emplacement of the Northland Allochthon.
