The features of Te Mata Park are a result of the tectonic pressures and earthquake faults which run from Wellington in the south through Hawke’s Bay and the Ruahine Ranges.

The cliffs and valleys of the Park are classic limestone features. The limestone is built upon the calcareous remains of billions of sea creatures that lived and died near the coast over innumerable millennia. The valleys and cliffs, including the Tuki Tuki River valley to the east of the escarpment are shaped by fluvial processes (the action of streams and rivers) over millions of years. The nature of the native vegetation found in Te Mata Park is strongly influenced by the lime-rich substrate.