Mount Maori is a mountain in the South Island of New Zealand.
Description Mount Maori is located 10 kilometres southwest of Mount Aspiring / Tititea on the crest or Main Divide of the Southern Alps. The summit is set on the boundary shared by the Otago and West Coast Regions of the South Island. It is also within Mount Aspiring National Park which is part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's north slope drains into the Arawhata River, whereas the south slope drains into the headwaters of the Dart River / Te Awa Whakatipu. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the Arawhata Valley in 2.5 kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Edward, four kilometres to the south-southwest. The first ascent of the summit was made on 5 March 1935 by Russell Edwards, Gordon Edwards, Ernie Smith, and Doug Knowles.Mt Maori, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 5 February 2025.
Climate Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Maori is located in a marine west coast climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit.Te Anau Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 5 February 2025. 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. This climate supports the Dart and Pench glaciers on the south slope, along with an unnamed glacier on the north slope. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 5 February 2025.
Climbing Climbing routes with the first ascents:
East Ridge – Russell Edwards, Gordon Edwards, Ernie Smith, Doug Knowles – 1935 Via Snow White Glacier – Les and Doug Brough, Lindsay Bruce, Alex Gourlay – 1959 South Face – Allan Uren, Phil Penney – 1987 Via Whitbourn Saddle – FA unknown
See also List of mountains of New Zealand by height
Gallery
References
External links Mount Maori: weather Mount Maori: New Zealand Alpine Club