CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND Further information: Walks in and Tongariro National Park around Tongariro Visitor Centre State Highway 48 National Park Whakapapa Village PO Box 71029 Mt Ruapehu 3951 PHONE: 07 892 3729 EMAIL: [email protected] www.doc.govt.nz Published by: Department of Conservation Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre PO Box 71029 Whakapapa Village, Mount Ruapehu 3951 New Zealand December 2020 Editing and design: Te Rōpū Auaha, Te Papa Atawhai DOC Creative Services Front cover: Tongariro Northern Circuit Photo: DOC/90 Seconds This publication is produced using paper sourced from well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. R126857 Getting there Contents This 78,618 ha park, located in the central North Tongariro National Park World Heritage Area Island, is bordered by State Highway 1, 49, 4 and The Sacred Tuku 1887 .....................................1 47. The nearest towns are Turangi, National Park Introduction . 3 and Ohakune. The small village of Whakapapa is Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre ....................3 located within the park. Know before you go . 4 The main trunk railway runs through National Park Camping ..................................................8 and Ohakune townships. Regular bus services operate Huts ......................................................8 to Ohakune, National Park and Turangi. Plan and prepare . 10 Turangi Tracks and walks . 12 4 47 Whakapapa . 13 46 Walks (less than 3 hours) ................................. 15 Day tramps (3–8 hours) ................................... 20 Tongariro National Park Ohakune . 22 Visitor Centre Walks (less than 3 hours) ................................. 22 National Cycle Trail: Ruapehu–Whanganui Trails. 25 1 Day tramps (3–8 hours) ................................... 29 Raetihi Ohakune On and near Mt Tongariro . 30 Walks (less than 3 hours) ................................. 30 25km 49 Waiouru Day tramps (3–8 hours) ................................... 31 Further afield . 34 Walks (less than 3 hours) ................................. 34 Day tramps (3–8 hours) ................................... 35 Multi-day tramping tracks . 36 Round the Mountain ..................................... 37 Tongariro Northern Circuit – Great Walk ................. 44 Backcountry travel in Tongariro National Park ........... 48 Tongariro’s unique flora and fauna ....................... 50 Protecting our natural heritage ........................... 54 Check before you light a fire – a ban may be in place Maps Whakapapa enlargement ................................. 14 Ohakune enlargement ...................................23 Ruapehu-Whanganui Trails ..............................26 Tongariro National Park .............................fold-out back cover New Zealand New Zealand falcon/kārearea. Smith Conrad Photo: For your safety Tongariro Carry the following topographical maps with you. The maps in this brochure are a guide only and should not be used for navigation. National Park The appropriate NZTopo50 See also: series maps for these trips are: • Tongariro Alpine World Heritage • BJ34 Mt Ruapehu Crossing brochure • BH34 Raurimu • Tongariro Northern Circuit Area • BH35 Tūrangi Great Walk brochure • BJ35 Waiouru. The Sacred Tuku 1887 www.doc.govt.nz/tongariro Horonuku Te Heuheu Tūkino IV, www.doc.govt.nz/tongariroalpinecrossing (Paramount Chief), Matuaahu Te www.doc.govt.nz/tongarironortherncircuit Wharerangi and other rangatira Tell someone before you go of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, one of the Safety is your responsibility so remember to leave details tribes who have mana whenua of your trip (return date and time, planned route, party (occupational authority) over the member names and vehicle licence plates) with a trusted land in this region, extended the contact, and don’t forget to let them know when you return. kaitiakitanga (custodianship) of Information on the Outdoor Intentions System can be found at the peaks of Tongariro, Ngāuruhoe www.adventuresmart.org.nz. Also visit www.doc.govt.nz and part of the peak of Ruapehu ‘Know before you go’ for important safety information about to the people of New Zealand the Tongariro National Park. 23 September 1887. Described Remember to fill in hut books during your trip, even if you as a ‘Tuku’ (an offer of shared do not stay in the hut. They can assist in search and rescue kaitiakitanga), iwi would, through a operations, and may help save your life. partnership with the Crown, ensure Remember, if you are not experienced and the landscape and cultural values of equipped for alpine hiking, we recommend that the North Island mountains would you choose a track below the bushline where alpine be protected for all time. experience is not required, or go with a guide. Iwi (Māori tribes) had always held To book a guide contact your nearest i-SITE, or go to land on a communal basis. www.visitruapehu.com or www.greatlaketaupo.com. Horonuku, Matuaahu and the other rangatira did not want to see the sacred mountains of their people divided into blocks and sold to land-seeking settlers. Loss of this land would mean loss of the sacred volcanoes and a loss of mana (status, prestige, integrity) for Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangi and Whanganui Iwi who all have mana whenua of the mountains. Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Tongariro Murray Graeme Photo: 1 An Act of Parliament formally established Tongariro National Park in 1894 and it was gazetted as such Introduction in 1907. The original tuku area of 2360 hectares has been increased over the years by government National Parks represent glimpses of our procurement of surrounding land to create a national environment as it once was, and also form park of 78,618 hectares. cultural icons connecting people to the land. Due to the insight of Horonuku, Matuaahu and other The varying landscape of Tongariro National Ngāti Tūwharetoa rangatira, Tongariro National Park was the first national park in New Zealand and the fifth Park features herbfields, forests, lakes, streams in the world. and desert-like areas, as well as dramatic terrain While the mountains have been protected, and are formed by volcanic activity. The landforms, recognised as a World Heritage site, the mana whenua volcanoes and ecosystems of Tongariro National feel the Tongariro National Park Act 1894 has not Park are now recognised as having outstanding adequately recognised the intent of the Tuku as an international significance and have been expression of shared kaitiakitanga and management of the mountains. The mana whenua would like to restore awarded UNESCO dual World Heritage status the partnership intended by the 1887 Tuku by making for natural and cultural values. a new partnership arrangement for the National Park. Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre Call in to the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre, situated in Whakapapa Village, and meet DOC rangers who have first-hand, in-depth local knowledge about conservation places and activities. The centre is open every day (except for Christmas day) from 8 am to 5 pm during the summer season, and 8 am to 4.30 pm during the winter season. Hut tickets, hut passes and topographical If our mountains of Tongariro are included in the maps are available for sale as well as books, souvenirs, blocks passed through the court in the ordinary way, clothing and a selection of outdoor safety items. A foyer what will become of them? They will be cut up and is open 24 hours for access to a public telephone, weather sold, a piece going to one Pākeha and a piece to and avalanche reports, and track information. another. They will become of no account, for the Tel: (07) 892 3729 Email: [email protected] tapu will be gone. Tongariro is my ancestor, my tūpuna, it is my head; Information on the park is also available from the i-SITES in: my mana centres around Tongariro. Ohakune (06) 385 8427 You know how my name and history are associated Taumarunui (07) 895 7494 with Tongariro, I cannot consent to the court passing Tūrangi (07) 386 8999 these mountains through in the ordinary way. Taupō (07) 376 0027 After I am dead, what will be their fate? Te Heuheu Tūkino IV, 1885 2 3 Know before you go Weather Lahar hazards on Mount Ruapehu The climate of Tongariro National Park is Mount Ruapehu is an active volcano. An eruption may highly unpredictable and changes quickly. generate lahars (volcanic floods and mudflows) in major High levels of rain and very cold temperatures are valleys and in the Whakapapa Ski Area. Hikers and common, and snow is possible at any time of the year. skiers should familiarise themselves with known lahar Check the latest weather forecast and track conditions paths and be prepared to move out of valleys should an before starting out on any hikes – always be prepared for eruption occur. bad weather. For the latest weather forecast, check at the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre or visit www.metservice. 1975 Ngāuruhoe eruption Incandescent lava blocks, some com/mountain/tongariro-national-park. the size of small cars, leave vapour trails in the sky. Some of River crossings the heavier material begins to drop, causing fluid pyroclastic Heavy rain will cause increased water flow flows (glowing avalanches of in all streams and rivers in the park. At fragmented rock) travelling these times, unbridged rivers may become difficult 2 km from the crater down the or impossible to cross, particularly those on the Mangatepopo valley. longer walks such as the Round the Mountain and Whakapapaiti Valley tracks. If you come across a swollen river, do not cross it. Turn back