View source for Mount Cook Village

{{Short description|Settlement in Canterbury, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Mount Cook Village
| other_name               = 
| image_skyline            = View over Mount Cook Village to The Footstool and Mount Cook.jpg
| image_caption            = Mount Cook Village down below in Hooker Valley, [[The Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook Village|The Hermitage]] on the left, lodge and motel complex on the bottom right
| pushpin_map              = 
| image_map                = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|43|44|0|S|170|5|44|E}}|zoom=6}}
| coordinates              = {{coord|43|44|0|S|170|5|44|E|type:city_scale:20000_region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = New Zealand
| subdivision_type2        = Island
| subdivision_type3        = Region
| subdivision_name2        = [[South Island]]
| subdivision_name3        = [[Canterbury]]
| subdivision_type4        = Territorial Authority
| subdivision_name4        = [[Mackenzie District]]
| subdivision_type5        = Ward
| subdivision_name5        = Pukaki Ward
| subdivision_type6        = Community
| subdivision_name6        = Twizel Community
| elevation_m              = 750
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="Area"/>
| area_total_km2           = 4.26
| population_footnotes     = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}
| population_total         = {{NZ population data 2018|Mt Cook Village|y}}
| population_as_of         = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
| population_density_km2   = auto
| website                  = 
| seat_type                = Electorates
| seat                     = {{ubl|[[Waitaki (New Zealand electorate)|Waitaki]]|[[Te Tai Tonga]] (Māori)}}
| leader_title             = {{nowrap|Territorial authority}}
| leader_name              = [[Mackenzie District Council]]
| leader_title1            = Regional council
| leader_name1             = [[Environment Canterbury]]
| leader_title2            = [[Mayor of Mackenzie]]
| leader_name2             = {{NZ officeholder data|Mackenzie District Mayor|y}}
| leader_title3            = [[Waitaki (New Zealand electorate)|Waitaki MP]]
| leader_name3             = {{NZ officeholder data|Waitaki MP|y}}
| leader_title4            = [[Te Tai Tonga|Te Tai Tonga MP]]
| leader_name4             = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}}
| official_name            = Aoraki / Mount Cook
| settlement_type          = Town
}}

'''Mount Cook Village''', officially '''Aoraki / Mount Cook''',{{Efn|name=Spaces-slashes}} is located within New Zealand's [[Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park]] at the end of {{NZlSH|80}}, only {{convert|15|km|mi}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Aoraki/Mount Cook, Canterbury - NZ Topo Map |url=http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz26116/Aoraki%2fMount-Cook/Canterbury |accessdate=2016-08-25 |website=NZ Topo Map |publisher=[[Land Information New Zealand]]}}</ref> south of the summit of the country's highest mountain, also called [[Aoraki / Mount Cook]], in the [[Southern Alps]].

Because it is situated inside a [[National parks of New Zealand|national park]], it is not possible to own property in Mount Cook Village; however, because of the year-round operation of the hotel and motels, the village has a small permanent population of around 250.<ref name=pandp />

All buildings and facilities operate on concessions and leases from the government. The village has no grocery stores apart from a small in-hotel convenience store.  The nearest [[supermarket]] is {{convert|65|km}} away in [[Twizel]], the closest town. There is a self-service [[gasoline|petrol]] pump behind the hotel complex; however, the fuel price reflects the remote location.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Mount Cook Village operates a small school with a roll as low as a dozen children, the only school in New Zealand inside a national park.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=12 Aug 2016|author=Charlie Mitchell|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/83062112/mt-cook-the-tiny-school-in-the-shadow-of-the-mountain|title=Mt Cook: The tiny school in the shadow of the mountain|accessdate=2016-08-25}}</ref>

==History==
The first building at the location of Mount Cook Village was the second Hermitage hotel, built in 1913 and opened in 1914; however, that building burned to the ground in 1957 and was replaced in 1958 by what later became the current hotel.

The 1960s and 1970s saw significant extensions to the hotel and Mount Cook Village, including water mains, sewerage treatment, local streets, and the sealing of State Highway 80, which greatly improved access. A local fire brigade was established in 1976.<ref name=pandp />

The official name of the settlement was amended to a [[List of dual place names in New Zealand|dual name]], Aoraki / Mount Cook,{{Efn|The town’s official name, as it was changed in 1998, is 'Aoraki/Mount Cook', without spaces between names. It is expected that the [[New Zealand Geographic Board]] will change the name to include spaces around the slash in future.|name=Spaces-slashes}} by the [[Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/ntcsa19981998n97295|title=Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998}}</ref>

==Demographics==
Mount Cook Village is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, and covers {{Convert|4.26|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=8 February 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Mt Cook Village|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Mt Cook Village|y}}|R}}/4.26|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. It is part of the [[Mackenzie Basin#Demographics|Mackenzie Lakes statistical area]].<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|mackenzie-lakes|Mackenzie Lakes}}</ref>

{{Historical populations|2006|210|2013|201|2018|213|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}}
Before the 2023 census, Mount Cook Village had a larger boundary, covering {{Convert|9.68|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area"/> Using that boundary, Mount Cook Village had a population of 213 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 12 people (6.0%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 3 people (1.4%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 27 households, comprising 99 males and 114 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.87 males per female. The median age was 29.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 24 people (11.3%) aged under 15 years, 87 (40.8%) aged 15 to 29, 93 (43.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 6 (2.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 53.5% European/[[Pākehā]], 2.8% [[Māori people|Māori]], 8.5% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 25.4% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 14.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.1% had no religion, 28.2% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.4% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 1.4% were [[Islam in New Zealand|Muslim]], 9.9% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 1.4% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 45 (23.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 12 (6.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 12 people (6.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 177 (93.7%) people were employed full-time, and 9 (4.8%) were part-time.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7027549}}</ref>

{{wide image|Mount Sefton LC0291.jpg|1000px|Panorama of Hooker valley with Mount Cook Village on left in front of the [[Sealy Range]], and [[Mount Sefton]] and [[The Footstool]] in the center of the frame}}

==Tourism==
Mount Cook Village caters to a steady flow of around 250,000 visitors per year<ref name="pandp">[http://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/about-doc/role/policies-and-plans/national-park-management-plans/aoraki-ltcp-section1.pdf "Aoraki/Mount Cook Village: Long-term Community Plan"], [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]]</ref> with a wide range of facilities and accommodation.

An international style hotel, "[[The Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook Village|The Hermitage]]",<ref>[http://www.hermitage.co.nz/ "The Hermitage" official website]</ref>  the name of which dates back to the original hotel built in 1884, is the only prominent larger building in the village and a popular location, especially for international tourists. The Hermitage is sometimes used as an alternative name for the settlement.  The hotel also owns and operates chalets and a lodge and motel with options ranging from [[Backpacking (travel)|backpacker]] accommodation through to family units.

There are two more motels in the village, and a total of four restaurants or pubs, two of which are inside the main hotel complex.  The buildings and motel units are connected via paved footpaths.
The small White Horse Hill camping ground is located about {{convert|2|km|mi}} outside the village, connected via a walking track.

Commercial operations run guided walks, 4WD safaris, boating on the [[Tasman Lake|Tasman glacier lake]], horse treks, fishing, and scenic flights including landing on the glaciers.  These are based at the hotel, departing and returning to the hotel's main entrance.

A number of nearby walks and climbs ranging from 10 minute bush walks to multi-day tramping tracks and routes can be explored from Mount Cook Village.

There are three short walking tracks through forest areas within the village and on its outskirts, as well as the starting points of longer walking tracks ranging from the popular and easy Hooker Valley Track to more strenuous walks such as the steep track to [[Sealy Tarns]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aoraki/Mount Cook village walking tracks |url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/aoraki-mount-cook-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/aoraki-mount-cook-village-walking-tracks/ |accessdate=2016-08-25 |publisher=Department of Conservation}}</ref>

The village is home to the park's visitor centre,<ref>[http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/aoraki-mount-cook/activities/aoraki-mount-cook-national-park-visitor-centre/ "Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park visitor centre"], Department of Conservation</ref> and the starting point for climbers, hunters<ref>''[http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/things-to-do/hunting/where-to-hunt/canterbury/aoraki-mount-cook-hunting/where-to-hunt/aoraki-mount-cook/ "...hunting for tahr and chamois is permitted all year round in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park..."]''</ref> and trampers visiting the many huts.<ref>[http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/backcountry-huts-by-region/canterbury/aoraki-mount-cook/ "Huts by region: Aoraki/Mount Cook area"], Department of Conservation</ref>

The YHA backpacker hostel is due to close permanently in December 2021 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-25|title=Youth hostel closures in Tekapo and Aoraki/Mt Cook a double blow for Mackenzie District|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/127102057/youth-hostel-closures-in-tekapo-and-aorakimt-cook-a-double-blow-for-mackenzie-district|access-date=2021-11-26|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref>

==Climate==
Mount Cook Village has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Cfb]]). Summers are mild with cool nights while winters are chilly with nightly lows below freezing. Precipitation is extremely heavy year round.

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Mount Cook Village, elevation {{convert|730|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1929–present)
| Jan record high C = 32.8
| Feb record high C = 32.4
| Mar record high C = 29.9
| Apr record high C = 24.4
| May record high C = 23.2
| Jun record high C = 19.0
| Jul record high C = 18.3
| Aug record high C = 22.1
| Sep record high C = 25.0
| Oct record high C = 25.7
| Nov record high C = 28.6
| Dec record high C = 30.1
| year record high C = 32.8
| Jan avg record high C  = 28.0
| Feb avg record high C  = 27.6
| Mar avg record high C  = 25.5
| Apr avg record high C  = 21.9
| May avg record high C  = 18.1
| Jun avg record high C  = 14.8
| Jul avg record high C  = 14.0
| Aug avg record high C  = 15.6
| Sep avg record high C  = 19.0
| Oct avg record high C  = 21.9
| Nov avg record high C  = 24.4
| Dec avg record high C  = 26.0
| year avg record high C = 29.7
|Jan high C = 	20.4
|Feb high C = 	20.8
|Mar high C = 	18.4
|Apr high C = 	14.9
|May high C = 	11.0
|Jun high C = 	7.9
|Jul high C = 	7.2
|Aug high C = 	9.1
|Sep high C = 	11.8
|Oct high C = 	14.0
|Nov high C = 	16.3
|Dec high C = 	18.5
| year high C = 	
|Jan mean C = 	14.6
|Feb mean C = 	14.7
|Mar mean C = 	12.4
|Apr mean C = 	9.4
|May mean C = 	6.2
|Jun mean C = 	3.2
|Jul mean C = 	2.5
|Aug mean C = 	4.1
|Sep mean C = 	6.6
|Oct mean C = 	8.6
|Nov mean C = 	10.6
|Dec mean C = 	12.8
| year mean C = 	
|Jan low C = 	8.7
|Feb low C = 	8.5
|Mar low C = 	6.5
|Apr low C = 	4.0
|May low C = 	1.3
|Jun low C = 	-1.4
|Jul low C = 	-2.2
|Aug low C = 	-0.8
|Sep low C = 	1.5
|Oct low C = 	3.1
|Nov low C = 	5.0
|Dec low C = 	7.0
| year low C = 	
| Jan avg record low C  = 2.0
| Feb avg record low C  = 2.1
| Mar avg record low C  = 0.4
| Apr avg record low C  = -1.5
| May avg record low C  = -3.7
| Jun avg record low C  = -6.8
| Jul avg record low C  = -7.2
| Aug avg record low C  = -5.8
| Sep avg record low C  = -4.0
| Oct avg record low C  = -2.7
| Nov avg record low C  = -1.1
| Dec avg record low C  = 1.2
| year avg record low C = -8.3
|Jan record low C  = -8.3
|Feb record low C  = -4.4
|Mar record low C  = -7.2
|Apr record low C  = -7.8
|May record low C  =  -13.3
|Jun record low C  = -13.9
|Jul record low C  = -16.9
|Aug record low C  = -12.8
|Sep record low C  = -15.0
|Oct record low C  = -10.0
|Nov record low C  = -12.2
|Dec record low C  = -10.6
|year record low C = -16.9
|rain colour = green	
|Jan rain mm = 	418.7
|Feb rain mm = 	272.0
|Mar rain mm = 	315.0
|Apr rain mm = 	336.5
|May rain mm = 	377.8
|Jun rain mm = 	291.0
|Jul rain mm = 	288.6
|Aug rain mm = 	283.8
|Sep rain mm = 	361.0
|Oct rain mm = 	394.4
|Nov rain mm = 	367.6
|Dec rain mm = 	425.9
|year rain mm = 	
| Jan rain days = 	11.3
| Feb rain days = 	9.0
| Mar rain days = 	10.0
| Apr rain days = 	11.5
| May rain days = 	15.2
| Jun rain days = 	14.2
| Jul rain days = 	13.2
| Aug rain days = 	13.6
| Sep rain days = 	15.0
| Oct rain days = 	15.8
| Nov rain days = 	13.5
| Dec rain days = 	13.8
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm	
|Jan sun = 	183.5
|Feb sun = 	172.3
|Mar sun = 	157.5
|Apr sun = 	123.8
|May sun = 	86.0
|Jun sun = 	73.4
|Jul sun = 	80.0
|Aug sun = 	112.8
|Sep sun = 	121.1
|Oct sun = 	152.1
|Nov sun = 	165.8
|Dec sun = 	178.9
|year sun = 	
| Jan humidity = 	64.7
| Feb humidity = 	69.8
| Mar humidity = 	73.7
| Apr humidity = 	76.1
| May humidity = 	81.4
| Jun humidity = 	82.0
| Jul humidity = 	79.0
| Aug humidity = 	79.4
| Sep humidity = 	67.5
| Oct humidity = 	66.3
| Nov humidity = 	64.1
| Dec humidity = 	66.7
|source 1 = NIWA Climate Data<ref name = NIWA>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240520001949/https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| archive-date = 20 May 2024
| url = https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/climate-data-and-activities
| title = Climate data and activities
| publisher= NIWA
| access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="niwa 4591">{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 4591, 4593, 18128)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 21 Jul 2024}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Mt Cook Airport, elevation {{convert|656|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (2012–2024 normals, extremes 2012–present)
| Jan record high C = 33.5
| Feb record high C = 30.5
| Mar record high C = 27.2
| Apr record high C = 23.7
| May record high C = 20.3
| Jun record high C = 17.9
| Jul record high C = 16.0
| Aug record high C = 17.7
| Sep record high C = 22.3
| Oct record high C = 26.1
| Nov record high C = 28.5
| Dec record high C = 29.3
| year record high C = 33.5
| Jan avg record high C  = 29.2
| Feb avg record high C  = 28.0
| Mar avg record high C  = 25.6
| Apr avg record high C  = 22.2
| May avg record high C  = 18.9
| Jun avg record high C  = 14.9
| Jul avg record high C  = 14.3
| Aug avg record high C  = 15.3
| Sep avg record high C  = 18.9
| Oct avg record high C  = 22.7
| Nov avg record high C  = 24.8
| Dec avg record high C  = 27.0
| year avg record high C = 30.2
| Jan high C  = 22.0
| Feb high C  = 21.7
| Mar high C  = 19.3
| Apr high C  = 15.1
| May high C  = 11.9
| Jun high C  = 8.3
| Jul high C  = 7.9
| Aug high C  = 9.6
| Sep high C  = 12.2
| Oct high C  = 14.9
| Nov high C  = 17.1
| Dec high C  = 19.8
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C  = 15.5
| Feb mean C  = 15.2
| Mar mean C  = 12.9
| Apr mean C  = 9.5
| May mean C  = 6.5
| Jun mean C  = 3.2
| Jul mean C  = 2.8
| Aug mean C  = 4.3
| Sep mean C  = 6.6
| Oct mean C  = 9.2
| Nov mean C  = 11.3
| Dec mean C  = 13.9
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C  = 9.1
| Feb low C  = 8.7
| Mar low C  = 6.6
| Apr low C  = 3.9
| May low C  = 1.2
| Jun low C  = -1.8
| Jul low C  = -2.4
| Aug low C  = -0.9
| Sep low C  = 1.0
| Oct low C  = 3.5
| Nov low C  = 5.6
| Dec low C  = 8.1
| year low C = 
| Jan avg record low C  = 1.2
| Feb avg record low C  = 1.8
| Mar avg record low C  = 0.0
| Apr avg record low C  = -2.6
| May avg record low C  = -6.0
| Jun avg record low C  = -8.7
| Jul avg record low C  = -9.8
| Aug avg record low C  = -8.6
| Sep avg record low C  = -6.9
| Oct avg record low C  = -4.4
| Nov avg record low C  = -1.5
| Dec avg record low C  = 0.8
| year avg record low C = -11.6
|Jan record low C  = -1.9
|Feb record low C  = -0.2
|Mar record low C  = -2.0
|Apr record low C  = -4.5
|May record low C  = -8.8
|Jun record low C  = -15.0
|Jul record low C  = -13.7
|Aug record low C  = -14.1
|Sep record low C  = -9.6
|Oct record low C  = -7.5
|Nov record low C  = -3.7
|Dec record low C  = -1.7
|year record low C = -15.0
|rain colour = green	
|Jan rain mm = 235.7
|Feb rain mm = 136.8
|Mar rain mm = 152.6
|Apr rain mm = 191.8
|May rain mm = 233.7
|Jun rain mm = 227.5
|Jul rain mm = 235.0
|Aug rain mm = 191.1
|Sep rain mm = 224.7
|Oct rain mm = 223.8
|Nov rain mm = 190.3
|Dec rain mm = 197.1
|year rain mm = 	
|source = NIWA <ref name="">{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 41165)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 21 Jul 2024}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Mueller Hut, elevation {{convert|1818|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020)
|Jan high C = 	10.9
|Feb high C = 	11.8
|Mar high C = 	10.3
|Apr high C = 	7.3
|May high C = 	4.9
|Jun high C = 	3.7
|Jul high C = 	2.0
|Aug high C = 	2.8
|Sep high C = 	3.8
|Oct high C = 	4.7
|Nov high C = 	7.2
|Dec high C = 	9.3
| year high C = 	
|Jan mean C = 	7.4
|Feb mean C = 	8.3
|Mar mean C = 	6.9
|Apr mean C = 	3.9
|May mean C = 	1.9
|Jun mean C = 	0.2
|Jul mean C = 	-1.2
|Aug mean C = 	-0.8
|Sep mean C = 	0.1
|Oct mean C = 	1.3
|Nov mean C = 	3.5
|Dec mean C = 	5.6
| year mean C = 	
|Jan low C = 	3.8
|Feb low C = 	4.9
|Mar low C = 	3.5
|Apr low C = 	0.6
|May low C = 	-1.1
|Jun low C = 	-3.2
|Jul low C = 	-4.4
|Aug low C = 	-4.3
|Sep low C = 	-3.5
|Oct low C = 	-2.0
|Nov low C = 	-0.3
|Dec low C = 	2.0
| year low C = 	
|source 1 = NIWA<ref>
{{cite web
|url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz
|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Mueller Hut Ews
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 19 May 2024}}</ref>
}}

== Education ==
Aoraki Mount Cook School is a full primary school serving years 1 to 8,<ref>{{TKI|3442|Aoraki Mount Cook School}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3442|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}} The school opened in 1960.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aoraki.school.nz/about|title=About|publisher=Aoraki Mount Cook School|access-date=22 November 2021}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Mount Cook Village}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111001060533/http://www.mtcooknz.com/mackenzie/Mount_Cook/ Mount Cook Village]

{{Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park}}
{{Mackenzie District}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mackenzie District]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Canterbury Region]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the Canterbury Region]]
[[Category:Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park]]
[[Category:Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve]]