Granite and Marble. A Guide to Building Stones in New Zealand

This copy feels unread. "Granite and Marble: A Guide to Building Stones in New Zealand" explains how different types of stone are formed, used, and valued in New Zealand construction, with a focus on clarity and practical detail. The book introduces the three main rock types—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic—and explains how each contributes to New Zealand’s building heritage. Granite, for example, is an igneous rock formed deep underground from slowly cooled magma. It’s made mostly of quartz and feldspar, which gives it strength and a speckled appearance. Marble, on the other hand, is a metamorphic rock created when limestone is subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years. This process causes the minerals to recrystallize, forming the smooth, veined patterns that make marble so popular for decorative use.