 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2007) |
| Tongariro National Park | |
|---|---|
 Mahuia River, Tongariro National Park | |
 Interactive map of Tongariro National Park | |
| Location | Ruapehu District, New Zealand |
| Nearest city | National Park, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 39°17′27″S 175°33′44″E / 39.29083°S 175.56222°E |
| Area | 795.96 km2 (307.32 sq mi) |
| Established | October 1887 |
| Governing body | Department of Conservation Whakapapa Visitor Centre Private Bag Mount Ruapehu 2650 |
| Criteria | Cultural and Natural: (vi), (vii), (viii) |
| Reference | 421bis |
| Inscription | 1990 (14th Session) |
| Extensions | 1993 |
Tongariro National Park (/ˈtɒŋɡərɪroʊ/; Māori: [tɔŋaɾiɾɔ]), located in the central North Island, is the oldest national park in New Zealand.[1] It has been acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site of mixed cultural and natural values.
Tongariro National Park was the sixth national park[2] established in the world.[1] The active volcanic mountains Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro are located in the centre of the park.[1]
There are a number of Māori religious sites within the park,[3] and many of the park's summits, including Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, are tapu, or sacred.[4] The park includes many towns around its boundary including Ohakune, Waiouru, Horopito, Pokaka, Erua, National Park Village, Whakapapa skifield and Tūrangi.
Tongariro National Park is home to the famed Tongariro Alpine Crossing, widely regarded as one of the world's best one-day hikes.[5]
- ^ a b c Department of Conservation: "Tongariro National Park: Features" Archived 22 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 21 April 2013
- ^ Hardy, Uniqua. "The 10 Oldest National Parks in the World". Culture Trip. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ Beetham, George (1926). "Introduction by T. E. Donne". The First Ascent of Mount Ruapehu.
- ^ Cowan, James (1927). "Chapter II: The Mountains of the Gods". The Tongariro National Park, New Zealand - Its topography, geology, alpine and volcanic features, history and Maori folk-lore. pp. 29–33.
- ^ Tongariro Alpine Crossing