The New Zealand 17s (North Island's highest peaks)

A list of the highest peaks makes for a great challenge (and sometimes stirs a lot of debate). Here I've gathered a list of (I believe) all the peaks and subsidiary tops over 1700m on the North Island of New Zealand. This list numbers 39 mountains in total.

Inspired by lists such as the Munro's in Scotland, I find a challenge such as this appeals to my planning and adventurous leanings. It's not for everybody, but I like the inspiration to go places I otherwise wouldn't, making new discoveries along the way. These mountains sit in seven areas across the central and eastern axis of the North Island, consisting of the 3 main high volcanic areas with 4 other groups along the eastern spine.

Some require mountaineering in winter, and close to it in summer. Others are more modest hill walks. Some are far off the beaten track requiring a mini expedition and hard travel to attain. Three require land access which is usually forthcoming if requested politely in advance.

I've seen a couple of similar lists, but not a comprehensive one including both volcanic and nonvolcanic peaks such as this. The calibration of a minimum of 50m reascent is used to define a peak. Less than this and its a top.

As always these lists are up for comment and there may be things I've missed. If so please let me know in the comments.

I hope it inspires you to get out and get high on the beautiful North Island of New Zealand.

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You will find videos of most of these climbs on my channel.

Ruapehu -    • Ruapehu Mountaineering - Te Ataahua (...  
Ruapehu -    • Ruapehu, Pyramid climb - New Zealand  
Ruapehu -    • Ruapehu climb 2005 - North Island, Ne...  
Ruapehu -    • Paretetaitonga Climb, Ruapehu - New Z...  
Ruapehu -    • Grand Gully Climb - Ruapehu, NZ  
Tongariro -    • Tongariro Traverse, New Zealand  
Tongariro -    • Tongariro Crossing, North Island New ...  
Tongariro -    • 360 degree view from top of Nguaruhoe...  
Kaweka Traverse -    • Kaweka J Traverse, New Zealand  
Ruahines -    • Central Ruahine, New Zealand - Dual R...  
Hikurangi -    • Hikurangi climb, North Island - New Z...  

The 17s
North Island Peaks - the 27 17's
1 - Peak Tahurangi 2797m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
2 - Peak Pareteaitonga 2751m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
3 - Peak Te Heu Heu 2732 Ruapehu, Central Plateau
4 - Peak Dome 2672 Ruapehu, Central Plateau
5 - Peak Cathedral Rocks 2663m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
6 - Peak Girdlestone Peak 2658m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
7 - Peak Pyramid Peak 2645m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
8 - Peak Ringatoto Peak 2591m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
9 - Peak Taranaki 2518m Taranaki
10 - Peak Mt Ngauruhoe 2287m Tongariro Group, Central Plateau
11 - Peak Pinnacle Ridge 2234m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
12 - Peak Mt Tongariro 1967m Tongariro Group, Central Plateau
13 - Peak Fanthams Peak 1966m Taranaki
14 - Peak North Crater 1909m Tongariro Group, Central Plateau
15 - Peak Rotopaunga 1856m Tongariro Group, Central Plateau
16 - Peak Pt 1850m (south of Blue Lake) 1850m Tongariro Group, Central Plateau
17 - Peak Pt 1767m (south east of Blue Lake) 1767m Tongariro Group, Central Plateau
18 - Peak Hikurangi 1752m Raukumara Range, East Cape
19 - Peak Mangaweka 173m1 Ruahine Hikurangi Range
20 - Peak Pt 1727m Half Cone (north east of Ngauruhoe) 1727m Tongariro Group, Central Plateau
21 - Peak Makorako 1726m Kaimanawa Mountains
22 - Peak Kaweka J 1724m Kaweka Range
23 - Peak Patutu 1718m Kaimanawa Mountains
24 - Peak Iwikau Peak (Pt 1716) 1716m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
25 - Peak Main top (A6G4) 1715m Ruahine Range
26 - Peak Hikurangi 1710m Ruahine,Hikurangi Range
27 - Peak Rangioteatua 1704m Ruahine Range

North Island Tops - the 12 17's (less than 50m separation)
1 - Top Te Ataahua 2757m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
2 - Top Tukino Peak 2720m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
3 - Top Glacier Knob 2642m Ruapehu, Central Plateau
4 - Top Sharks Tooth 2510m Taranaki
5 - Top Red Crater 1868m Tongariro Group, Central Plateau
6 - Top Te Mari (Pt 1739) 1754m Tongariro Group, Central Plateau
7 - Top (Pt 1718) 1718m Ruahine, Hikurangi Range
8 - Top North Kaweka 1707m Kaweka Range
9 - Top Iron Peg 1703m Ruahine, Hikurangi Range
10 - Top Unnamed dome, 1707m Kaweka
11 - Top Unnamed Pt 1700m Ruahine, Hikurangi Range
12 - Top Unnamed outlier top to A6G4 1700m Ruahine Range