Geomorphic evidence is described of very recent upwarping of the shore of Hawke Bay north of Napier, and, as this is of local extent, the suggestion is made that here and in adjoining coastal districts folding is, or recently has been, in progress, with this and another upheaved rib farther to the north-east as anticlinal axes. The coastally drowned areas of Poverty Bay and the north-east and south-west corners of Hawke Bay have escaped the upheaval, and it is suggested that they occupy negative, or synclinal, axes of a fold pattern.

Recorded data are insufficient to show to what extent, if at all, the axes of transverse upheaval recognized in the coastal districts extend westward across the main geanticline of the island. All or most of the axial ranges in this belt have recently been rising, however, for this is indicated by the presence of terraces in the valleys of outflowing rivers and by the fact that the vertical intervals between terraces increase upstream.