Firefighters Continue Battle to Contain Major Blaze in Tongariro National Park

Fire crews are facing another challenging day as they work to contain a large wildfire burning across Tongariro National Park. The blaze, which broke out on Saturday, has already scorched an estimated 2500 hectares of land on the Central Plateau and remains only partially contained.

The fire forced evacuations over the weekend, including the removal of 43 trampers and a hut warden from the Mangatepopo area, along with lodges and outdoor education facilities near Whakapapa Village. Department of Conservation staff are assisting with welfare support in the village.

All huts and tracks inside the national park are now closed until further notice. State Highway 48 and a section of State Highway 47 are also shut, with authorities warning the closures could remain in place for at least the next two days. No detours are available.

A temporary no-fly zone has been put in place to keep firefighting aircraft safe from interference by private aircraft or drones.

Heavy mist this morning has slowed the spread of the fire but is also preventing helicopters from taking off. Around 15 helicopters and five fixed-wing aircraft are on standby and will resume operations once conditions clear. Ground crews from local brigades, the Department of Conservation, and reinforcements from Wellington and Hawke's Bay are already working along the fire’s flanks.

Fire and Emergency officials say the fire remains difficult to tackle because of rugged terrain and dry undergrowth despite recent rain. The cause of the blaze remains unknown, and the ignition point is now being treated as a potential crime scene.

Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro has placed rāhui across the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for one week and over the burned land for a longer period, allowing the maunga and native vegetation time to heal. The hapū is asking all visitors to respect these restrictions.

Civil Defence Minister Mark Mitchell says emergency crews and local volunteers have responded swiftly, but significant work remains before the fire can be brought under control.