New Zealand's Southern Alps on the South Island stretch 500 km, peaking at Aoraki/Mount Cook (3,724 m)—Oceania's highest—with 20 peaks over 3,000 m and 3,000 km of glaciers like Franz Josef (12 km long). The North Island's volcanic plateau features Ruapehu (2,797 m)—active—and Tongariro (1,968 m). Formed by Pacific-Australian subduction 20 million years ago, fjords like Milford Sound reach 1,200 m deep. The Kaikoura Ranges rise to 2,885 m, while Coromandel Peninsula's hills hit 730 m with gold mines. This dynamic landscape includes 13 national parks with kiwis and southern right whales.
