Hikes to try - Tongariro National Park
Rated by many as the best one day walk in the World, the tongariro crossing is a highlight of many Flying Kiwi tours. Taken from the DOC website here's a bit more about this amazing wonder.
Established in 1887, Tongariro was the first national park in New Zealand and the fourth in the world. It is also a dual World Heritage area, a status which recognizes the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features.
It is a place of extremes and surprises, a place to explore and remember. From herb fields to forests, from tranquil lakes to desert-like plateau and active volcanoes - Tongariro has them all. In 1887 Te Heuheu Tukino IV (Horonuku), then the paramount chief of Ngati Tuwharetoa, gifted the sacred peaks to the nation. To tangata whenua (people of the land) the mountains are a vital part of their history, their whakapapa (genealogy) and legends are venerated accordingly.
- Ko Tongariro te maunga Tongariro is the mountain
- Ko Taupo te moana Taupo is the lake
- Ko Ngati Tuwharetoa te tangata Ngati Tuwharetoa are the people
- Ko Te Heuheu te tangata Te Heuheu is the man
It is said that their ancestor, Ngatoroirangi (the navigator and tohunga of the waka Arawa) was close to death after exploring this mountainous region. He called out to his sisters from his pacific homeland, Hawaiiki, to send him fire. The fire came but its passage left a trail of volcanic vents, from Tongatapu, through Whakaari (White Island), Rotorua and Tokaanu, before reaching Ngatoroirangi on the slopes of Tongariro.
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globe. Entrance is usually $5 but if you print this newsletter and take it with you, you get in for free. Come and check us out if your passing through and we'll sort out a few nice surprises for those who mention the newsletter. :)