It extends from Central Otago, along the eastern side of the Alpine Fault to Cook Strait.

[1] There are also isolated outcrops of the Haast Schist within the central North Island.

[2] The metamorphic grade progresses from greenschist, biotite, garnet and finally orthoclase.

The schists were originally brought to the surface of the Earth's crust in the Cretaceous and again during the Kaikoura Orogeny along the Alpine Fault.

Pounamu (Jade) is found as isolated pods in the higher metamorphic grades near the Alpine Fault.