Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park is one of a few sites in the world with dual World Heritage Status in recognition of both its natural and cultural values. The Park is the home of the mountains of  Tongariro (1968 metres), Ruapehu (2,797 metres) and Ngauruhoe (2,290).  Mt Ruapehu is the highes point in the North Island with the largest ski field in New Zealand called Whakapapa, sometimes visitors will incorrectly mistake Mt Ruapehu for Mt Tongariro.

The peaks of this area were until recently regarded by the local Maoris, as strictly tapu (sacred, forbidden).   Tongariro features in numerous differing legends of Maori folk-lore.  In one of these legends,  Tongariro was climbed by the great navigator Ngatoroirangi, tohunga (priest) of the Arawa migration in the 14th century.  In Maori tradition all the three peaks, Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, are part of the one mountain complex of Tongariro.  The name meaning lit:tonga: south wind: riro: borne away – recalls the plea of the priest Ngatoroirangi as he lay perishing on the summit awaiting fire from the gods in “Hawaiki” “Ka riro au I te tonga”   (I am borne away in the bitter south wind)

The Tongariro National Park was New Zealand’s first national park, formally constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1894, incorporating the three mountain tops.  Today the Park comprises of mountain beech forest, tussock country, wetlands and near-dessert, surrounding the three volcanic mountains of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, encompassing some 79,598ha

The most popular track in Tongariro National Park is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.  Most of the track is also part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, a two to four day trek, which is one of the Great Walks in New Zealand.  You can appreciate why Peter Jackson shot The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in and around the Tongariro National Park, with Mt Doom (Mt Ngauruhoe) on the list of must do for fans visiting New Zealand, tours of all the filming locations in the National Park can be arranged.

The main activites in the park includes skiing and snowboarding , Tongariro Alpine Crossing in winter and in summer  Whanganui River Trip, walking, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, rafting, hunting, fishing and scenic flights.