The main Tongariro tracks will remain closed until at least next week following a wildfire that has burned an estimated 2,800 hectares in Tongariro National Park.
According to a news article by RNZ, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) says recent rain has helped bring the fire under control, while 35 Department of Conservation crews remain on site.
Drones with thermal imaging are being used to check for hotspots, and a helicopter is on standby for an aerial assessment, though low cloud has delayed full coverage.
Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka’s office confirmed parts of the park are open, but the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tongariro Northern Circuit, Tama Lakes, and walks near Whakapapa Village will remain closed until at least Monday.
Officials say a full assessment of track conditions, huts, and biodiversity will only be possible once the fire is fully controlled. Police are investigating the cause of the fire.
Key infrastructure has been protected, and reopening of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Northern Circuit (except Oturere Hut) is expected as soon as it is safe.
About 605 people had bookings for the day crossing this week, and 92 people had reserved huts or campsites through Friday; all affected visitors have been notified and refunded.
FENZ assistant commander Renee Potae said, “The key thing has been the rain, especially the runoff from the mountain. That runoff is running into the fireground and really helping us get control of this fire.”
She cautioned that underground fires may still be active: “While you can’t see too much sign of fire right now on the surface, it doesn’t mean it’s not still burning underground.”
A restorative rāhui has been put in place over the affected areas. Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro representative Te Ngaehe Wanikau said the rāhui is intended to allow the land to recover.
“The restoration is not about excluding, it’s not prohibiting,” he said. “The greatest fear was the burnt area going into the too-hard basket and then we see yellow flowers of broom all over our mountain,” he added.
The initiative aims to show what the area could look like if recovery efforts are properly managed.
The wildfire and closure underscore the ongoing risks to New Zealand’s outdoor recreation sites and the importance of coordinated recovery to protect natural landscapes and ensure safe access for visitors.