Tongariro facts

Traditionally Ngauruhoe has erupted at
least every nine years, although at the
time of writing the last eruption was in
1975

Originally gifted to the people of New Zealand on the 23 September 1887, Tongariro National Park has increased in size from the original 2,640 hectares to its present size of approximately 79,598 hectares.

• 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.
• The park is centred on three active volcanoes: Tongariro (1,968 metres), Ruapehu (2,797 metres), and Ngauruhoe (2,290metres).
• Mt Ruapehu has a number of peaks:
  • Tahurangi 2,797 metres
  • Girdlestone 2,658 metres
  • Te Heuheu 2,732 metres
  • Paretetaitonga 2,751 metres
  • Mitre 2,591 metres
• Traditionally Ngauruhoe has erupted at least every nine years, although at the time of writing the last eruption was in 1975.
• Mt Tongariro's active Red Crater last emitted ash in 1926.
• Mt Ruapehu is the highest point in the North Island and, like Tongariro, its history began before the last ice age.
• The eight named glaciers on Mt Ruapehu are the only glaciers in the North Island.
• On top of Ruapehu is a crater lake which regularly passes through warming cycles. These cycles may result in small eruptions of ash and steam.
• More than 60 eruptions from the crater have been recorded since 1945, including 1995/96 when the Crater Lake disappeared completely. Since the 1995/96 eruption the crater lake has begun to reform.
• Ruapehu has a permanent cover of snow and ice, including seven glaciers.
• Approximately one million people visit Tongariro National Park each year, with summer visitors now outnumbering winter visitors as they take advantage of the excellent tramping and walking opportunities. Halfway between Auckland and Wellington, the park is easily reached from both city areas.

Early morning on the Whakapapa
Skifield. Both Whakapapa and Turoia
skifields are now under single
management

• Ruapehu has the only commercial skifields in the North Island. This also makes the mountain a popular place to visit. Turoa ski area is on the south-west side of the mountain and the small club field, Tukino, on the south-east. Whakapapa ski area is on the western slopes.
• Temperatures at Whakapapa 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 yearly rainfall is about 2,200 mm, while on the Desert Road side it is only 1,250 mm.
• 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.
• About 150 people live permanently in Whakapapa over summer. This number increases to about 400 over the winter months.
• Whakapapa Village is New Zealand's highest settlement with permanent residents.
• The ski lodges at Whakapapa skifield make up what is called Iwikau Village, named after one of the earlier Tuwharetoa chiefs.
• The first club lodge was built by Ruapehu Ski Club in 1923.
• There are 47 private club lodges at Iwikau and a further five in Whakapapa Village.
• The park has a number of 24 bunk tramping huts:
  • Ketetahi (1,450 metres)
  • Oturere (1,360 metres)
  • Mangatepopo (1,190 metres)
  • Waihohonu (1,120 metres)
  • Rangipo (1,600 metres)
  • Mangaehuehu (1,300 metres)
  • Blyth (1,400 metres)
  • Mangaturuturu (1,250 metres)
  • Whakapapiti (1,260 metres)
• In January 1991 Tongariro National Park was declared a World Heritage site, in recognition of its outstanding natural characteristics.
• In 1994 the Park was also granted Cultural World Heritage status, in recognition of its cultural significance and history.

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