What is New Zealand's highest mountain?

At 3,724 meters (12,218 ft), Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain and is found in the Southern Alps mountain range which stretches the length of New Zealand's South Island. Over the last three decades the mountain has shrunk by some 40 meters due to a rockfall which occurred in 1991 and erosion which has taken place since then. Prior to 1991 the mountain was measured at 3,764 meters.

Aoraki/ Mt Cook has three summits called the Lower, Middle and High Peaks at 3,593 meters (11,788 ft), 3,717 meters (12,195 ft) and 3,724 meters respectively.

The name Aoraki reflects the traditional name given to the mountain by early Maori while the English name was bestowed on it by Captain John Lort Stokes in 1851, and honors Captain James Cook who was the first European to survey and circumnavigate the islands of New Zealand in 1770.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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20 Comments

ninakamwene

My daughter is half Kiwi, and we have seen those mountains. But Mts Kilimanjaro and Kenya are at 19,000 and 17,000. Viva Kenya, and Tanzania. I am Kenyan.

Lynda Jenkinson.

I'm a Kiwi and love this mountain. Sir Ed practised on this mountain range before he conquered Everest. Some of you need to travel to New Zealand and other Southern Hemisphere countries more rather than guessing.

larrywagner

I figured Cook was the first to navigate the island. Come on Tesla catch up before the thumbs down monsters get me.

Alice Milne

ninakamwene, I'm puzzled. This question was about New Zealand. It was not about the rest of the world and it was not a competition. Why did you feel the need to compete?

Carroll Price

Can't hardly believe they haven't renamed the moutain to a Kiwi chieftain - real or imaginary.

teresab

I was at Mt Cook just before Christmas 2019 on the most perfect summer's day. The mountain was simply stunning and I'd post a photo if I could on this site. There was a small wisp of snow drifting off from near the top and my friend had to drag me away as we were staying at least 2-3 hours away in Ashburton. It's the first time I've seen the peak clear like that. I don't think the day could be surpassed as we had Aoraki salmon for dinner to top the day off.