| Flagstaff | |
|---|---|
 Flagstaff rises above central Dunedin in this view from the western end of Otago Harbour. | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 668 m (2,192 ft) |
| Prominence | 140 m (460 ft) |
| Parent peak | Swampy Summit |
| Isolation | 3.4 km (2.1 mi) to Swampy Summit |
| Coordinates | 45°49′44″S170°27′54″E / 45.829°S 170.465°E /-45.829; 170.465 |
| Naming | |
| Native name | Te Whanaupaki (Māori) |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Otago |
| District | Dunedin |
| Geology | |
| Volcanic zone | Dunedin Volcano |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Pineapple Flagstaff Walk |
Flagstaff, known inMāori asTe Whanaupaki,[1] is a prominent hill overlooking the northwest of the city ofDunedin, inNew Zealand'sSouth Island. Together withMount Cargill, which lies to its northeast, it dominates the skyline of the city. Flagstaff lies seven kilometres to the north of Dunedin's city centre.
The hill was known by theMāori asWhakari, and theSouthern Māori form of this name is still used for the Dunedin suburb ofWakari, which lies to the south of Flagstaff. The city's first road route to theTaieri Plains, which lie to the west, skirted the slopes of Flagstaff, and is still used as an alternative route out of the city.
Flagstaff rises to a height of 668 metres (2,192 ft),[2] and is part of the rim of theDunedin Volcano, a long-extinct volcano of which the crater forms theOtago Harbour. ThePineapple Track, part of Dunedin'sSkyline Walkway, crosses the peak of Flagstaff. The track's unusual name dates from the 1920s, when a local grocer used to act as a guide to the top of Flagstaff, handing out tins of pineapple as a refreshment at the top.[3] The empty cans were often left behind, and were frequently seen along the side of the track as unofficial marker posts. This track, though not an arduous walk, needs to be treated with care, as the weather around Flagstaff can be extremely unpredictable.
