Visit New Zealand

- By Diana Tijoriwalla

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• Indians in NZ
• The Howick Historical Village
• School Levels
• The Treaty of Waitangi.
• Maori Cooking
• Anzac Day 25th April
• Auckland Regional Parks
• Tongariro National Park
• The Buried Village (Rotorua)
• Auckland's Islands
• Paradise Valley Springs (Rotorua)
• MOTAT
• The Polynesian Spa
• Rules for Teachers
• Daffodil Day
• The Waitakere Ranges
• Western Springs Tramway
• Auckland Museum
• New Zealand's Pride
• The Tuatara
• Maungakiekie
• Secondary Schools
• Sir Edmund Hillary
• Halloween
• Auckland Zoo

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Tongariro National Park

Tongariro is New Zealand’s oldest national park. It is a place of extremes & surprises. From herb fields to forests, from tranquil lakes to desert-like plateau & active volcanoes. This was the 1st national park to be established in NZ & the 4th in the world. To tangata whenua ( people of the land), the mountains are a vital part of their history. The 3 volcanic mountains, at the heart of the park – Tongariro, Ngaruahoe & Ruapehu form the southern limits of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Volcanic activity in the zone started about 2 million years ago & is going on till today! Mt Ruapehu & Mt Ngaruahoe, are two of the most active composite volcanoes in the world. In 1995 & again in 1996, Mt Ruapehu has erupted sending clouds of ash & steam skywards & mantling the surrounding snow fields & forests with a thick film of ash. It is a land of strong contrasts with barren lava flows, winter snowfields, hot springs & active craters.Harsh environment & volcanic activities slows down the development of the diverse forests.
The park is centered on 3 active volcanoes: Tongariro (1,968m), Ruapehu (2,797m) & Ngauruhoe (2,290m). Mt Ruapehu has a number of peaks : Tahurangi, Girdlestone, Te Heuheu, Paretetaitonga & Mitre.
Ngauruhoe has erupted at least every nine years. The last eruption was in 1975. Mt Tongariro last emitted ash in 1926. Mt Ruapehu is the highest point in the North Island. On top of Mt Ruapehu, is a crater lake which regularly passes through warming cycles. These cycles may result in small eruptions of ash & steam. More than 60 eruptions have been recorded since 1945. Ruapehu has the only commercial skifields in the North Island. In January 1991, Tongariro National Park was declared a World Heritage site & in 1994, the Park was also granted Cultural World Heritage status.

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