Paparoa Range

Paparoa Range
Paparoa Range
Highest point
Peak	Mount Uriah
Elevation	1,525 m (5,003 ft)
Coordinates	42°01′08″S 171°38′35″E / 42.019°S 171.643°E / -42.019; 171.643
Dimensions
Length	70 km (43 mi)
Naming
Etymology	Named by Ngāti Wairangi, translated as "the broad back" or "the rocky ridge"
Native name	Te Paparoa (Māori)
Geography
Paparoa Range Location in New Zealand
Range coordinates	42°0′S 171°35′E / 42.000°S 171.583°E / -42.000; 171.583

The Paparoa Range is a mountain range in the West Coast region of New Zealand's South Island. It was the first New Zealand land seen by a European – Abel Tasman in 1642. Part of the range has the country's highest protection as a national park; the Paparoa National Park was established in 1987. Within that park, the Cave Creek disaster occurred in 1995.