Tongariro National Park - Mount Ruapehu

ACTIVITIES IN TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK

Tongariro National Park has its headquarters in the Whakapapa township. Tongariro was New Zealand's first national park and is a World Heritage area. It was created in 1887 when its three magnificent volcanoes, Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe, were gifted to the people of New Zealand by the Ngati Tuwharetoa.

In 1993 Tongariro became the first property to be inscribed on the World Heritage List under the revised criteria describing cultural landscapes. Mount Ruapehu is the largest and historically most active of several volcanic centers in the North Island. At 2,797 meters (9,177 feet), the volcano is the highest mountain in the North Island.

A true historical perspective on this landmark park can be gained by watchingthis 1951 film.