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When Te Heuheu Tukino IV, chief of the Ngati Tuwharetoa tribe gifted the mountain summits of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu to the Crown in 1887, the Tongariro National Park was born.
His foresight and desire to protect the peaks has given the Central Plateau a heart that has nourished its surrounding communities for well over 100 years.
Aside from being New Zealand’s first, the Tongariro National Park also has dual world heritage status, which recognises the cultural and spiritual significance of the area as well as the natural one.
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It’s a park that offers spectacular scenery and amazing experiences. The Tongariro Crossing is definitely one of the jewels in the crown. Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields are popular winter tourist destinations and the surrounding towns offer a myriad of options to visitors and locals alike.
While the Tongariro National Park is significant, it’s not the only attraction in the area, nor in fact, the only national park. The Whanganui National Park lies between Taumarunui and Wanganui. Tramping and hunting are popular activities and with the Whanganui River being the feature, canoe trips from one hour to five days are among tourists highlights. A visit to the parks Tieke Hut, which is run as a Marae by local Maori, is educational and memorable.
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Mount Tongariro & Mount Ngauruhoe - Tongariro National Park - Central Plateau
Photo supplied by Glyn Hubbard Photography (GHP) |
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With New Zealand’s largest lake as its centre piece, Taupo is a popular destination for its varying activities and Turangi is world famous for trout fishing. National Park offers visitors shelter, supplies and access to a range of activities in both national parks.
Ohakune is a tourist destination, a market gardeners town and a hub for those on the southern side of the Central Plateau, while historic Raetihi is a base for visitors to both national parks. The National Army museum is at the end of the Desert Road in Waiouru and Taihape lays claim to being the Gumboot capital of the world. |
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These are some of the towns connected to The Central Plateau, the areas that we at plateaucentral.co.nz would like you to know better. These communities offer a surprising array of diverse goods and services for locals and visitors, ample lakeside or ski accommodation, restaurants and entertainment options. We encourage you to explore plateaucentral.co.nz more and get a visual snapshot of what to expect from a visit to our little piece of paradise.
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Setting sail on Lake Taupo - Central Plateau
Photo supplied by Glyn Hubbard Photography (GHP) |
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