New Zealand, South Island, Mackenzie Country. Mt Cook National Park, a statue of Sir Edmund Hillary stands infront of the Hermitage Hotel and Mount Cook (3755m), the highest peak in New Zealand and part of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. Designated by Unesco in 1990, Hillary a native New Zealander was the first man to climb Mt Everest and used Mt Cook as a practice ground for his asasult on Everest.