Mount Kaukau, (/kaʊkaʊ/; Māori pronunciation: [koukou]) also known as Tarikaka, is in Wellington, New Zealand on the western side of the Wellington harbour near Johnsonville and Khandallah. The summit is 445 metres above sea level and is the most visible high point in the Wellington landscape further accentuated by Wellington's main television transmitter tower the Kordia TV transmitter mast, which stands 122m tall. There is also a compass pedestal placed at the top. Spectacular views of the city, harbour and the Rimutaka and Tararua Ranges can be experienced from the summit. On a clear day Mt. Tapuaeoenuku and the Bryant Range in the South Island may be seen, whilst northwest is the Porirua Basin and the broad expanse of the Tasman Sea. Mount Kaukau is also a field trip for primary schools and provides a great scenery spot for photographing.
The 122-metre Mount Kaukau television transmitter was built in 1965 to transmit television channel WNTV1 offering improved coverage over the channel's previous transmitter at Mount Victoria. Today it is the main television and FM radio transmitter for the Wellington metropolitan area.
The following table contains television and radio frequencies currently operating at Mount Kaukau:
The following frequencies were used until 29 September 2013, when Kaukau switched off analogue broadcasts (see Digital changeover dates in New Zealand).
Every year Khandallah School, which is at the base of Mount Kaukau, organises a fun walk / fun run from the school to the summit and back, called the Kaukau Challenge. The Kaukau Challenge has been an annual event since 2006 with about 500 people taking part each year.Coordinates: 41°14′00″S 174°46′39″E / 41.2332°S 174.7776°E