Parnassus is a locality in the Canterbury region's Hurunui District on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island.

It takes its name from a local sheep run owned by a classical scholar, Edward Lee.

He saw a likeness between a local hill and the Greek Mount Parnassus, mythical home of the god Apollo and the Muses.

The Main North Line was completed in 1945 and continues to serve Parnassus today.

The Parnassus statistical area, which includes Cheviot, covers 994.57 km2 (384.01 sq mi).