Mauka Atua

Mauka Atua
South aspect
Highest point
Elevation	2,557 m (8,389 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence	537 m (1,762 ft) [2]
Isolation	10.72 km (6.66 mi) [2]
Listing	New Zealand #56
Coordinates	43°52′43″S170°01′27″E / 43.878717°S 170.024264°E / -43.878717; 170.024264 [2]
Geography
Mauka Atua Location in New Zealand
Interactive map of Mauka Atua
Location	South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	Canterbury
Parent range	Southern Alps Ben Ohau Range [3]
Topo map	Topo50 BY15 [3]
Geology
Rock age	Triassic [4]
Rock type	Semischist of Rakaia Terrane [4]
Climbing
First ascent	1948 [3]

Mauka Atua is a 2,557-metre-elevation (8,389-foot) mountain in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.

Description

Mauka Atua is located 225 kilometres (140 mi) southwest of Christchurch and set between the Dobson Valley and Tasman Valley in the South Island. It is the highest peak in the Ben Ohau Range of the Southern Alps. ^{[3] [5]} Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains east to Lake Pukaki and west into the Dobson River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,820 metres (5,971 feet) above the Dobson Valley in four kilometres. The nearest higher peak is Mount Hopkins, 11 kilometres to the north-northwest. ^[2] The mountain's name Mauka Atua means "to stand apart" in the Māori language and the toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board. ^[5]

Climbing

Climbing routes with first ascents: ^[3]

• South Ridge – Norman Hardie – (1948)
• East Face – Ross Cullen – (March 1989)
• North Ridge – Hugh Nicholson – (January 1996)

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mauka Atua is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, ^[6] with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit. Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snow. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak. ^[7]

See also

• List of mountains of New Zealand by height

References

1. Mauka Atua, Canterbury, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 26 February 2025.
2. "Mauka Atua, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
3. Mauka Atua, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 26 February 2025.
4. Geological Map of New Zealand, GNS Science geological web map application, Retrieved 26 February 2025.
5. Mauka Atua, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 26 February 2025.
6. Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 26 February 2025.
7. The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 26 February 2025.

External links

• Mauka Atua: New Zealand Alpine Club
• Mauka Atua: weather