Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have shared their “deep sense of concern and sadness” at seeing another fire flare up within Tongariro National Park.
“For mana whenua and all those who care for this whenua, the return of fire to such a culturally and environmentally significant landscape — so soon after the previous blaze — is a heavy and confronting reality,” the Department said in a statement.
Fire services were alerted to the fire around 1.10pm yesterday, with Fire and Emergency New Zealand leading the response to the emergency.
DOC Operations Manager, Libby O’Brien says DOC’s priority is people’s safety.
“Our team have been walking the tracks checking for any visitors who may not be aware of the fire. Fortunately, no one has been injured, and our staff are all accounted for,” she said.
“As a precaution, we’ve cancelled bookings for Mangatepopo Hut and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing until the morning of 10 December. We’ve also suggested visitors may wish to leave the Whakapapa Village area for their safety.”
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing will not be open today (9 December) and DOC has also cancelled bookings for the Tongariro Northern Circuit.
“We are working hard to ensure anyone who is currently in Tongariro National Park is aware of the fire and is able to return home safely,” said Ms O’Brien.
“Residents of Whakapapa Village are also on standby for evacuation, and any call to evacuate will be made by Fire and Emergency and supported by DOC.
“Tongariro National Park is incredibly special to so many people, and to be facing this again so soon is gutting.”
It’s been less than a month since a nearly 3000-hectare fire ripped through parts of the park, prompting outpourings of support from around the world.
A spokesperson for Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro says today’s fire has been deeply felt across the hapū.
“Tongariro is our living ancestor — the foundation of our whakapapa, and the spiritual and cultural heart of Ngāti Hikairo. To see fire return to this area so soon after the last major event is emotionally heavy for our people.”
“Our rāhui remains in place across the affected landscape, and today’s events reinforce why that protective measure is necessary as the environment heals.”
It said a new rāhui will be placed over the latest burn area, effective immediately. This new rāhui will be formally incorporated into the existing Rāhui Whakaora, which was established following last month’s fire. By linking the two areas, the entire landscape affected by both events will now sit within a unified 10-year rāhui, protecting the whenua while natural regeneration begins and long-term restoration planning continues.
“This decision has been made in close discussion with our kaumātua, Te Hau Matao, and with the support of our hapū. It reflects both our deep cultural obligations and the clear environmental need to restrict access, limit disturbance, and allow the maunga and its ecosystems the time they require to recover,” a spokesperson said.
“We continue to work alongside Fire and Emergency, DOC, Police, and other agencies who are responding tirelessly to this fire. We acknowledge their efforts and the care they have shown for our whenua and waahi tapu.
“We ask the public, visitors, and all those who love Tongariro to uphold and respect this rāhui. It is a protective measure – not just for the land, but for the wellbeing of our community and for the safety of those responding on the ground and in the air.”
Ms O’Brien said there was no information on damage sustained yet.
“We aren’t aware of any structural damage, though we anticipate significant impacts on biodiversity in the affected area. These are things we’ll work through once the fire is controlled,” she said.
Visit www.fireandemergency.nz for the latest updates on the fire.
