The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 66

Mountains and Plains

Mountains and Plains.

New Zealand is mountainous, with extensive plains, which in the South Island lie principally on the eastern side of the mountain-range, while in the North Island the most extensive lowlands lie on the western side. In the North Island the interior mountainous parts are covered with dense forest or low shrubby vegetation; while in the South Island these parts are chiefly open and well grassed, and are used for pastoral purposes.

In the North Island the mountains occupy one-tenth of the surface, and do not exceed from 1,500 to 4,000 feet in height, with the exception of a few volcanic mountains that are more lofty, one of which, Tongariro (6,500ft.), is still occasionally active. Ruapehu (9,100ft.) and Mount Egmont (8,300ft.), are extinct volcanoes that reach above the limit of perpetual snow : the latter is surrounded by one of the most extensive and fertile districts in New Zealand.

The mountain-range in the South Island, known as the Southern Alps, is crossed at intervals by low passes, but its summits reach a height of from 10,000 to 12,000 feet, and it has extensive snow-fields and glaciers. Flanking this mountain-range and occupying its greater valleys are extensive areas of arable land, which are successfully cultivated from the sea-level to an altitude of over 2,000ft.