It ranges in age from mid-Cambrian to Devonian time (510–400 Ma), including New Zealand's oldest rocks, which are found in the Cobb Valley in north-west Nelson.

Sedimentary units in the Tākaka terrane (Haupiri Group and Junction Formation rocks) likely formed in a back-arc basin.

[3] It has been speculated that the Tākaka terrane is equivalent to rocks in Tasmania, Australia and was separated from them with the opening of the Tasman Sea.

[4] The Arthur Marble has been chemically weathered by rain and groundwater due to its high calcium carbonate content forming a karst geomorphology.

[5][6] This has led to the formation of extensive cave systems like Harwoods Hole and the Riuwaka Resurgence.