In the following extract, transcribed and edited from Cook’s journal, he tells of seeing Mt Taranaki (pictured) and naming it Mt Egmont:

‘Saturday 13th Winds Variable, PM Clowdy weather. At 7 oClock sounded and had 42 fathom water, being distant from the shore between 2 and 3 Leagues, and the peaked mountain as near as I could judge bore East. After it was dark saw a fire upon the shore a sure sign that the Country is inhabited. In the night had some Thunder Lightning, and rain. At 5 AM saw for a few Minutes the Top of the peaked Mountain above the Clowds, bearing NE; It is of a prodigious height and its top is cover'd with everlasting snow. It lies in the Latitude of 39° 16' S and in the Longitude of 185° 15' W I have named it Mount Egmont in honour of the Earl of Egmont —

This mountain seems to have a pretty large base and to rise with a gradual assent to the peak and what makes it more conspicuous is, its being situated near the Sea, [and in the middle of] and a flat Country in its neighbourhood which afforded a very good asspect — — being cloathed with Wood and Verdure. The shore under the foot of this mountain forms a large Cape which I have named Cape Egmont it lies SSW1/2W, 27 Leag from Albetross point. On the NE side of the Cape lay two small Islands [or Rocks] near to a very remarkable point on the Main that riseth to a good height in the very form of a Sugar Loafe: To the Southward of the Cape the land tends away SEBE and ESE and seems to be every where a bold shore. At Noon had variable light airs and clear weather. Latitude Observe'd 39°..32' S Cape Egmont bore about NE and we were about 4 Leagues from the Shore in that direction. In this situation had 40 fathoms water’