Taiaha Peak is a mountain in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand.
Description Taiaha Peak is located southwest of Christchurch in the South Island. It is set in the Elcho–Huxley Mountains of the Southern Alps. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's west slope drains into the headwaters of the North Branch of the Huxley River, whereas all other slopes drain into Thar and Paradise creeks which are tributaries of the Hopkins River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above Paradise Creek in one kilometre, and above the Hopkins Valley in three kilometres. The nearest higher peak is Boanerges, 3.5 kilometres to the south-southwest. The mountain's toponym is from the Māori language: the Taiaha is a traditional weapon of the Māori, and this peak's summit has a prominent spear-like shape.Taiaha Peak, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 25 February 2025.
Climbing Climbing routes with first ascents:Taiaha Pk, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 25 February 2025.
North West Face – O. Cantwell, Phil Cook, Frank Newmarch, R. Smith – (April 1939) South East Face – Ron Smoothy, Ellen Smoothy, Roger Thomson – (January 1983) West Ridge – Rob Battersby, Hamish Dunn – (March 1994) Via Paradise Valley – Thomas Evans, Jackson Green – (June 2004) I've found Cod – Paul Hersey, Graham Zimmerman – (September 2006) East Ridge – Shelly Graham, Graham Zimmerman – (April 2007)
Climate Based on the Köppen climate classification, Taiaha Peak is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit.Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 25 February 2025. 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. This climate supports a glacieret on the northwest slope of this peak. 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 25 February 2025.
See also List of mountains of New Zealand by height
References
External links Taiaha Peak: New Zealand Alpine Club Taiaha Peak: weather