Northland faces a promising future as a destination for mountaineers and extreme sport enthusiasts after the discovery that New Zealand's highest point is Mangamuka Summit south of Kaitaia.
A sign at the summit, where State Highway 1 crosses the Mangamuka Ranges, gives the elevation as 4383 metres - 659m higher than Aoraki Mt Cook, previously regarded as New Zealand's tallest mountain.
The sign was confirmed by an Advocate staffer following a social media tip-off.
Surprisingly, given the altitude, neither oxygen nor specialist climbing equipment was required, possibly making Mangamuka Summit the world's easiest 4000m ascent.
Award-winning Northland tourism leader Jeroen Jongejans welcomed the discovery, saying the region was already top of the country for its tourism product, variety and innovation - and now it was top in altitude as well.
"A number of Northlanders are always on a high anyway. This just confirms it."