Fascinating facts about Tongariro National Park
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Traditionally Ngauruhoe has erupted at
least every nine years. At the time of
writing the last eruption was in 1975
From yesterday to today
Tongariro was the first national park formed in New Zealand, and the fourth in the world. It was the first national park in the world to be gifted by a country's indigenous people, on 23 September 1887.
When established the original size of Tongariro National Park was 2,640 hectares. It has gradually increased to its present size of 79,596 hectares.
Today, approximately one million people visit Tongariro National Park each year. Despite the popular ski fields on Mount Ruapehu, there are more visitors in summer than winter due to the excellent hiking opportunities.
The park's central location means it is easy to access from both Auckland and Wellington and other locations in the North Island.
Mountain summits
Tongariro National Park is centered around three active volcanoes:
- Tongariro 1967 m
- Ngauruhoe 2287 m
- Ruapehu 2797 m
Mount Ruapehu has several peaks:
- Tahurangi 2797 m (the summit and highest point in the North Island)
- Paretetaitonga 2751 m
- Te Heuheu 2732 m
- Girdlestone 2658 m
- Mitre 2591 m
View of the volcanoes from the Kaimanawa ranges
Volcanic eruptions
- The Te Maari craters on the northern slopes of Mount Tongariro erupted on 6 August 2012
- Traditionally Ngauruhoe has erupted at least every nine years, although the last eruption was in 1975
- Mount Tongariro's active Red Crater last emitted ash in 1926
- Mount Ruapehu's last eruption was 25 September 2007. Prior to that there were large eruptions in both 1995 and 1996
Mount Ruapehu
- Mount Ruapehu's eight named glaciers are the only ones in the North Island. The summit region has a permanent cover of snow and ice.
- The volcanic vent in the top of the mountain contains a warm, acidic crater lake. The lake passes through regular warming and cooling cycles, which may result in small eruptions of ash and steam
- Mount Ruapehu is the highest point in the North Island and, like Tongariro, its history began before the last ice age
- More than 60 eruptions from the Ruapehu crater have been recorded since 1945
- During the 1995 and 1996 eruptions, the Crater Lake disappeared completely, then refilled over several years
Mount Ruapehu
Backcountry huts and hiking tracks
There are nine serviced backcountry huts along two multi-day circuit hiking tracks. It is a fantastic experience going on an overnight hiking trip.
Tongariro Northern Circuit - one of New Zealand's Great Walks
- Ketetahi Hut - 1450 m
- Oturere Hut - 1360 m
-
Blyth Hut and Ruapehu
Mangatepopo Hut - 1190 m
- Waihohonu - 1120 m (on both circuits)
Read more about the Tongariro Northern Circuit
Round the Mountain Track (Ruapehu)
- Rangipo Hut - 1600 m
- Mangaehuehu Hut - 1300 m
- Blyth Hut - 1400 m
- Mangaturuturu Hut - 1250 m
- Whakapapiti Hut - 1260 m
Read more about the Round the Mountain Track
Dual World Heritage
- In 1990 Tongariro National Park was declared a World Heritage site, in recognition of its outstanding natural characteristics
- In 1993 the Park was also granted Cultural World Heritage status under revised criteria, in recognition of its cultural significance and history
Whakapapa Village
- It is unusual to have a village within a national park, but Whakapapa Village was established early in the history of the park when people's opinions about conservation were different to what they are today
- At 1160 m above sea level, it is New Zealand's highest permanent settlement. There are about 150 residents in summer, increasing to about 400 during winter
- Temperatures at the Village can be as cold as -10°C or as warm as 25°C. Frosts can occur at any time of the year
- At Whakapapa the annual rainfall is about 2200 mm, while on the Desert Road side it is only 1250 mm
Ski fields
Whakapapa ski field
- Mount Ruapehu has the only commercial ski fields in the North Island, making the mountain a popular place to visit for snow sports
- The two large ski fields are Whakapapa on the north-western slopes, and Turoa on the south-western side. Both are managed by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts
- Tukino is a small club-run ski field on the south-eastern side
- There is on-mountain accommodation at Whakapapa ski field, in 47 private lodges owned by skiing and hiking clubs. The lodges make up Iwikau Village, named after one of the earlier Tuwharetoa chiefs. There are a further five club lodges in Whakapapa Village
- The first club lodge was built by Ruapehu Ski Club in 1923.
- There is also on-mountain lodge accommodation at Tukino
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