Te ao Whekere

Last updated

Te ao Whekere
Te ao Whekere.jpg
East aspect, from airliner
Highest point
Elevation 2,590 m (8,497 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence 532 m (1,745 ft) [2]
Parent peak Manakau [3]
Isolation 7.72 km (4.80 mi) [2]
Listing New Zealand #47
Coordinates 42°11′08″S173°41′40″E / 42.18554°S 173.694448°E / -42.18554; 173.694448 [2]
Geography
New Zealand (relief map).png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Te ao Whekere
Location in New Zealand
Te ao Whekere
Interactive map of Te ao Whekere
Location South Island
Country New Zealand
Region Canterbury
Protected area Ka Whata Tu O Rakihouia Conservation Park
Parent range Kaikōura Ranges [4]
Topo map(s) NZMS260 O30 [5]
Topo50 BT27 [4]

Te ao Whekere is a 2,590-metre-elevation (8,497-foot) mountain on the South Island of New Zealand.

Contents

Description

Te ao Whekere is set in the Canterbury Region of the South Island. It is located 23 kilometres north of the town of Kaikōura where it ranks as the second-highest peak of the Seaward Kaikōura Range. [4] Precipitation runoff from the mountain's slopes drains into tributaries of the Waiau Toa / Clarence River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,270 metres (4,167 feet) above Happy Valley Stream in two kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Manakau, 7.72 kilometres to the southwest. [2] One possible interpretation of the mountain's Māori name is a cloud that forms on the mountain indicating the presence of a northwest wind. [5] Another meaning is "the gloomy cloud," [6] or "the very dark cloud." [7]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Te ao Whekere is located in a marine west coast climate zone (Cfb). [8] Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountain, where the air is forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain and snow. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak. [9]

Climbing

Climbing routes: [4]

Te ao Whekere from east Te ao Whekere 2,590-metre.jpg
Te ao Whekere from east

See also

References

  1. Te ao Whekere, Canterbury, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Te ao Whekere, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  3. "Te ao Whekere, Peakvisor.com" . Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Te Ao Whekere, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  5. 1 2 Te ao Whekere, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  6. New Zealand, James Cowan, J. Mackay, government printer, 1908, p. 202.
  7. A Dictionary of the Maori Language, Herbert William Williams, M. F. Marks, government printer, 1917, p. 14, 579.
  8. Te Anau Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  9. The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 29 January 2025.