Mauka Atua
{{Short description|Mountain in New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Mauka Atua
| photo = Mauka Atua.jpg
| photo_caption = South aspect
| elevation_m = 2557
| elevation_ref =[https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz25571/Mauka-Atua/Canterbury Mauka Atua, Canterbury], NZTopoMap, Retrieved 26 February 2025.{{cite peakbagger|pid=82506|name=Mauka Atua, New Zealand|access-date=26 February 2025}}
| prominence_m = 537
| isolation_km = 10.72
| listing = New Zealand #56
| etymology =
| range = Southern Alps
Ben Ohau Range
| part_type = Protected area | part =
| country = New Zealand
| location = South Island
| region = Canterbury
| region_type = Region
| map = New Zealand
| map_caption = Location in New Zealand
| label_position = bottom
| coordinates = {{coord|43.878717|S|170.024264|E|type:mountain_region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 8
| mapframe-caption = Interactive map of Mauka Atua
| age = Triassic[https://data.gns.cri.nz/geology/ Geological Map of New Zealand], GNS Science geological web map application, Retrieved 26 February 2025.
| rock = Semischist of Rakaia Terrane
| easiest_route =
}}
Mauka Atua is a {{convert|2557|metre|ft|adj=mid|-elevation|abbr=off}} mountain in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.
Description
Mauka Atua is located {{convert|225|km|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. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains east to Lake Pukaki and west into the Dobson River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises {{convert|1820.|m|ft|abbr=off}} above the Dobson Valley in four kilometres. The nearest higher peak is Mount Hopkins, 11 kilometres to the north-northwest. 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.[https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/3319 Mauka Atua], New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 26 February 2025.
Climbing
Climbing routes with first ascents:[https://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/ohau-landsborough/ben-ohau-range/mauka-atua Mauka Atua], New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- 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,[https://en.climate-data.org/oceania/new-zealand/canterbury/christchurch-4978/ Christchurch Climate (New Zealand)], climate-data.org, Retrieved 26 February 2025. 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.[https://nzpocketguide.com/the-best-time-to-visit-the-south-island/ The Best Time to Visit the South Island], nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 26 February 2025.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- Mauka Atua: [https://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/ohau-landsborough/ben-ohau-range/mauka-atua New Zealand Alpine Club]
- Mauka Atua: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-6209374/New%20Zealand/Canterbury/Mackenzie%20District/Mauka%20Atua weather]
{{Geographic Location 2
| Center = Mauka Atua
| North = Mount Sealy
| Northeast = Tasman Valley
| East = Mount Dark
| Southeast = Lake Pukaki
| South = Glentanner Peak
| Southwest = Dobson Valley
| West = Dobson River
| Northwest = Mount Hopkins
}}
{{Portal bar|Mountains|Geography|Geology|New Zealand}}