The Tallest Peaks in New Zealand

Most of the tallest peaks in New Zealand are located in the Southern Alps on the country's South Island. All of New Zealand's peaks greater than 2,900 m in height also belong to this range. The 10 tallest peaks in New Zealand are listed below.

1. Aoraki / Mount Cook: High Peak

Aoraki / Mount Cook is New Zealand’s tallest mountain and has an elevation of 12,218 ft above sea-level. However, the peak was previously higher, with an elevation of 12,349 ft, but was reduced by a rockslide and erosional activities. Aoraki / Mount Cook is part of the Southern Alps. The mountain has three summits: 12,218 ft tall High Peak, which is the highest peak in New Zealand; 12,195 ft tall Middle Peak; and 11,788 ft tall Low Peak. Middle Peak and Low Peak are the second and third highest summits in New Zealand, respectively.

2. Aoraki / Mount Cook: Middle Peak

Middle Peak has an elevation of 12,195 ft and is one of the three summits of Aoraki / Mount Cook.

3. Aoraki / Mount Cook: Low Peak

Low Peak has an elevation of 11,788 ft and is one of the three summits of Aoraki / Mount Cook.

4. Mount Tasman

Mount Tasman is the fourth highest mountain in New Zealand. It has an elevation of 11,473 ft and is part of the South Island’s Southern Alps. The mountain is within the boundaries of the Mount Cook National Park, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first ascent to the peak of Mount Tasman was recorded in February 1895.

5. Mount Dampier

Mount Dampier has an elevation of 11,290 ft and is located in New Zealand's Southern Alps. The mountain is situated between the tallest mountain of New Zealand, Aoraki / Mount Cook, and Mount Hicks. Climbers of Mount Cook via the North ridge often traverse Mount Dampier along the way. Mount Dampier is the fifth highest peak in New Zealand.

6. Mount Vancouver

Mount Vancouver is a 10,856 ft high peak in the southern Alps and is the sixth highest peak in New Zealand. The peak was named after George Vancouver, an explorer and a member of James Cook’s expedition team. Mount Vancouver is situated between the Clarke Saddle and Mount Dampier, on a ridge that extends north from Mount Cook.

7. Silberhorn

Silberhorn has an elevation of 10,800 ft above sea level. It is located on Mount Tasman’s southern ridge and is thus part of the Southern Alps. Silberhorn was named after a mountain of the same name in the Swiss Alps, with which it bears a significant resemblance.

8. Malte Brun

Malte Brun is the highest peak in the Malte Brun Range, and the eighth tallest peak in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. It has an elevation of 10,495 ft above sea level and is located between two glaciers, the Murchison and the Tasman. The first ascent to the peak was recorded in March 1894. Climbing the mountain requires a certain degree of technical expertise.

9. Mount Hicks

Mount Hicks is located on New Zealand’s South Island and is part of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The mountain has an elevation of 10,551 ft and is situated above the Hooker Glacier. The first ascent to the peak of Mount Hicks was recorded in 1906.

10. Lendenfeld Peak

Lendenfeld Peak has an elevation of 10,479 ft and is the tenth tallest peak in New Zealand. The mountain is also located within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Lendenfeld Peak was named after Austrian mountaineer and zoologist Robert Lendlmayer von Lendenfeld.