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Mount Haast (Buller District) facts for kids

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Mount Haast
Mt. Haast, Rahu, West Coast, New Zealand, 1976 - Flickr - PhillipC.jpg
Mount Haast
Highest point
Elevation 1,587 m (5,207 ft)
Naming
Etymology Julius von Haast
Geography
Mount Haast is located in New Zealand
Mount Haast
Mount Haast
Location in New Zealand
Location Buller District, New Zealand

Mount Haast is a hill in New Zealand. It stands about 1,587 meters (or 5,207 feet) high. You can find it near a place called Springs Junction in the Buller District.

When you drive towards Springs Junction from the south-east on State Highway 7, Mount Haast really stands out. Its pointy, pyramid-like shape might make you think it's a volcano, but it's not! The hill was named after a famous German-born scientist, Julius von Haast. An explorer named James Mackay (who lived from 1831 to 1912) gave it this name.

Exploring Mount Haast

Mt Haast 1930s
Mount Haast (left of centre) in the 1930s

Mount Haast is located close to Rahu Saddle. This area is on State Highway 7, between Springs Junction and Reefton. It's a great spot for a hike!

Hiking to the Summit

You can reach Mount Haast by following a walking track. The track starts just off State Highway 7. It's a moderate hike that usually takes about six hours to go up and come back down. This time is from the car park. If you plan to hike in winter, it can be much harder.

Who Named Mount Haast?

Mount Haast was named by James Mackay. He was an important explorer and politician in New Zealand. Mackay actually named two different peaks after Julius von Haast. The other one is a much taller mountain, also called Mount Haast. This second Mount Haast is about 3,114 meters (or 10,217 feet) tall. It is located near the Main Divide in the Westland District.

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