Tongariro National Park

Given to the state by a prominent Maori chief in 1887 in exchange for the land becoming protected, the formation of Tongariro National Park began. The establishment of this National Park was the first one in New Zealand and has the distinction of being the fourth world wide. So well known is this treasured park that it was used as one of the locations in Lord of the Flies.

This park is historically important to the Maori culture and also has great spiritual importance to them. One of only 25 locations in the world that are designated by UNESCO as mixed World Heritage sites, with the cultural significance of this land to the Maori and the importance of the volcanic activity being recognized.

The three volcanoes, Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, are not only geologically important but the summits are sacred to the indigenous people of New Zealand. Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu are among the world’s most active composite volcanoes with the most recent activity being the 1996 eruption of Ruapehu. These majestic volcanoes rise from the earth to tower over the land below creating an incredible view as you approach them.

This harsh environment is home to the only mammals native to New Zealand, the long and short tailed bats; as well as many types birds and insects. Among the birds that reside here are rare and vulnerable native species like New Zealand Kakas, North Island Brown Kiwis, and the Blue Duck. The soil is a poor quality and the volcanic activity has prevented many trees from establishing a firm foothold in the area. That said, there are gorgeous pockets of protected podocarp that have survived over the decades.

Tongariro National Park has excellent walking tracks, two of the largest ski fields in New Zealand, rock climbing, and all season mountaineering. The walking tracks take you across rugged volcanic terrain on trails that let you drink in the park’s stunning vistas. The trails take from one day to five or six days to complete. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing walk has been declared by National Geographic to be on of the best ten one-day walks in the world.