Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park, in the heart of the Ruapehu District, is the oldest National Park in New Zealand. Not only is Tongariro National Park very special to the people of New Zealand; it is also unique in the world. Tongariro National Park is recognised by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) as a Dual World Heritage Site.

The Tongariro National Park was given World Heritage status in 1990, as a natural site of outstanding universal value. It was listed because of its unique, active volcanic attributes and also for its special cultural significance.
There are a number of Maori religious sites within the park and several of the mountain summits are tapu, a word that Maori people use to describe something highly sacred. The area is of huge cultural importance to Te Heu Heu Tukino’s people, Ngati Tuwharetoa. Ngati Tuwharetoa gifted the mountain peaks to the Nation of New Zealand in 1887, so ownership of the land would not be divided.

The story of the gifting gives precious insight in the relation that the Maori people had developed for their land. Amidst conflicting land claims by neighbouring Maori tribes and intrusion by European settlers, the aim was to protect these sacred mountains from subdivision and sale. Tongariro National Park is now the property of all the people of New Zealand.

Today the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the best way to experience the true beauty of the stunning national park. Click here to read more on the Tongariro Crossing track.

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