The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and other popular walks at Tongariro National Park, will reopen on Monday following a devastating fire last week.
The fires began on November 8, and scorched through nearly 3000ha of conservation land and bush before being extinguished on November 12.
The Department of Conservation’s (DOC) Central North Island operations director Damian Coutts said all tracks, excluding Mangatepopo Track, would reopen to visitors at 9am on Monday November 17 after being deemed safe by FENZ.
He said that while it would take some time to assess and repair the damage, access to huts and tracks was almost back to normal.
“We will continue to monitor for hotspots across the fire area, but we are satisfied the Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be safely opened.”
Mangatepopo Track would remain closed until further notice, with all other tracks and huts ready for visitors to enjoy from Monday morning.
Coutts reiterated: “It won’t look quite like it did before.”
“From the scorch marks on the pou Te Ririo, to the blackened landscape, it’s a sobering view. We’re inviting people to visit respectfully, to come back with a sense of awe and compassion for this place.”
A rāhui placed over the area would be lifted by hāpu with both sorrow and joy, said Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro spokesperson Te Ngaehe Wanikau.
“The mamae we feel for our maunga is deep. Tongariro has carried our stories, and our identity for generations, and seeing the land scarred has touched many hearts across Aotearoa. For some, returning to the Crossing will be like a pilgrimage, a time to stand with the maunga, to breathe with him again, and to acknowledge the journey ahead.”
A second rāhui, placed for the wellbeing of the mountain, would remain in place for the next ten years.
Mangatepopo Rd and the carpark required repairs, with the carpark closed and and transport to the crossing limited to shuttle pickup and dropoffs.
‘Better than we thought’
Tongariro Crossing Lodge owner Louis van Wyk told 1News the scheduled reopening was great news, and that he had been growing more and more optimistic throughout the week as the fire was brought under control.
“We could see that it didn’t really impact the main part of the crossing,” he said.
A week’s loss for his business was “pretty substantial”, but he was looking forward to welcoming people back.
“There is always a risk of people feeling that the pristine nature has been damaged and it’s not the experience they want.”
“But my message would be: Come, the majority of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is undamaged. And by coming and still supporting the park and the local community here, you are helping with the future regeneration, you can be part of that.”
He hoped people will have a greater appreciation for the fragile environment upon their visit.
By Luke Fisher
