Tongariro National Park
Country
New Zealand
Inscribed in
1993
Criteria
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
The conservation outlook for this site has been assessed as "good" in the latest assessment cycle. Explore the Conservation Outlook Assessment for the site below. You have the option to access the summary, or the detailed assessment.
In 1993 Tongariro became the first property to be inscribed on the World Heritage List under the revised criteria describing cultural landscapes. The mountains at the heart of the park have cultural and religious significance for the Maori people and symbolize the spiritual links between this community and its environment. The park has active and extinct volcanoes, a diverse range of ecosystems and some spectacular landscapes.
© UNESCO
Summary
2020 Conservation Outlook
Finalised on
07 Dec 2021
Good
Current state and trend of VALUES
Low Concern
Trend
Stable
Overall THREATS
Overall PROTECTION and MANAGEMENT
Full assessment
Finalised on
07 Dec 2021
Description of values
Volcanic mountain landscape of exceptional natural beauty
Criterion
(vii)
The active volcanic peaks of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe, surmounting an upland volcanic plateau at the centre of the North Island, form one of the most distinctive and attractive natural landscapes in New Zealand. Mount Ruapehu’s ice-bound crater lake, and the comprehensive range of landforms created by both past and present interactions of the volcanic material with the surrounding glaciers and lake waters, are considered superlative natural phenomena (DOC, 2006a; 2012)
The most frequently active composite volcano complex in the world
Criterion
(viii)
Located at the south-western terminus of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, the volcanic complex is the most spectacular example of andesitic mountain-building in the south-west Pacific. Volcanic activity is the result of subduction of the oceanic Pacific Plate beneath the Indo- Australian Plate and the volcanoes have a geological history dating back one million years. The active Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu volcanoes consist of recent cones, craters, explosion pits, lava flows, lakes and hot springs. Mount Ruapehu has a continually steaming crater lake surrounded by permanent ice fields from which, over the last 150 years, there have been at least 40 steam and ash eruptions and lahars (destructive fluid mixtures of volcanic debris and water). Tongariro also contains extensive tephra deposits from the world’s most powerful volcanic eruption of the last 5000 years, the Taupo ‘super-volcano’, whose large caldera is now filled by nearby Lake Taupo. During the last ice age Ruapehu and Tongariro carried glaciers which carved valleys and deposited moraines, but today only a remnant ice field remains on Ruapehu (DOC 2006a; 2012).
Remarkable diversity of plant habitats.
The altitudinal sequence of vegetation begins with tall mature lowland podocarp/hardwood rainforest and passes upwards through a broad zone of montane beech forests, shrubland, tussockland and alpine gravelfields. The diversity of habitats is due to the wide altitudinal and aspect range, the extent of periodic eruptions, the depth and composition of the ejected tephra, and climatic variation. Vertebrate fauna are mainly restricted to birds with more than 56 spp. present (DOC, 2006; 2012).
Assessment information
Several factors present a threat to the World Heritage site. The greatest threat is the spread of invasive species (mostly invasive plants) and their impact on the native biota, followed by visitor overcrowding, which is dampened at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other threats include natural hazard events, especially lahars and Skifield development, which remains a latent threat.
Volcanic activity
(Natural hazards)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
Hazards from extreme weather, snow avalanche, volcanic eruption and lahar events are well-recognized and subject to intensive public safety control operations, including a sophisticated eruption detection system and a lahar early warning alarm system (DOC, 2006a).
Tongariro National Park hosts two active volcanoes, Tongariro and Ruapehu, which have erupted in the past 15 years with considerable impact on park operations and visitation, as well as on regional air traffic.
Sources at the Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program and in New Zealand and Australia indicate that in the aftermath of the December 2019 volcanic tragedy at White Island, the government of New Zealand is reevaluating how volcano monitoring information and data are communicated to Park management officials (NCDC, 2020). The goal is to ensure that hazard/risk information is properly communicated and understood by visitors.
Tongariro National Park hosts two active volcanoes, Tongariro and Ruapehu, which have erupted in the past 15 years with considerable impact on park operations and visitation, as well as on regional air traffic.
Sources at the Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program and in New Zealand and Australia indicate that in the aftermath of the December 2019 volcanic tragedy at White Island, the government of New Zealand is reevaluating how volcano monitoring information and data are communicated to Park management officials (NCDC, 2020). The goal is to ensure that hazard/risk information is properly communicated and understood by visitors.
Tourism/ Recreation Areas
(Skifield development)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Commercial skifields occupy some 10% of Mt Ruapehu and 3% of the World Heritage site. There are two major commercially operated skifields requiring intensive management during winter. Key issues are: physical impacts on soils and snow packs; public safety regarding weather, avalanche, volcanic eruption and lahar events; access and transport; facilities development and demand for expansion of ski areas.
Professional staff are employed and there is an excellent working relationship with operators (DOC, 2006a).
Professional staff are employed and there is an excellent working relationship with operators (DOC, 2006a).
Invasive Non-Native/ Alien Species
(Pest plants and animals)
Inside site
, Widespread(15-50%)
Outside site
Introduced heather, Scotch broom, and lodgepole pine are widespread and threaten native plant communities and the animals depending on them. These plants also modify soil properties potentially impacting soil biota (Effah et al., 2020 a,b). A biocontrol agent (the heather beetle - Lochmaea suturalis) against heather was introduced in 1996 with limited success, lodgepole pines and Scotch broom are manually removed or treated with herbicide in localised patches (Buddenhagen, 2000; DOC web page). Eradication is no longer feasible, making invasive plants a latent threat to this Heritage Site. Introduced browsing and predatory mammals, especially rats, cats, mustelids, opossums, pigs and deer, have a severe impact on plants and on native bird populations in particular. Intensive pest control programs exist for mammals and sport hunting of deer and pigs is permitted under license (DOC, 2006a; 2012).
Tourism/ visitors/ recreation
(Impacts of increasing numbers of visitors and tourism development.)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Historically, the World Heritage site has been a popular destination for outdoor recreation, with a high demand for tourist facilities and infrastructure development. At peak times there was severe overcrowding at car parks, huts and tracks (trails), and some tracks reached social carrying capacity. Control measures included encouraging alternative activities in the region, channelling growth to sustainable areas and limiting development at affected sites. Managing the increase in tourist use and demand was recognized as a major management problem (DOC, 2006a). COVID-19 has imposed travel restrictions reducing global tourism, dampening its adverse impacts on natural parks and other conservation areas (Gossling, Scott and Hall, 2020). The visitor numbers will likely remain low for the next years, thereby reducing the pressure of tourism on the Tongariro National Park. The mid- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on visitor loads must be assessed in future revisions to determine if alternative measures must be taken to manage or restrict visitor numbers in the future (Wilderness magazine, 2018).
There is small scale storage of diesel and sewage together with a reticulated sewage scheme. These are closely monitored with a significant upgrade planned to the reticulated sewage system at Whakapapa to provide better treatment of the sewerage. Increasing pressures from growing visitor numbers combined with aging infrastructure means there are some challenges maintaining a high quality outcome for wastewater. While DOC is investing to ensure solutions and upgrades for the future, a favourable outcome is still a few years from completion.
Other
(Pollution)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Outside site
There is small scale storage of diesel and sewage together with a reticulated sewage scheme. These are closely monitored (DOC 2006a).
The reticulated sewage system is currently being upgraded to ensure more effective treatment (MWRC, 2017).
Increasing pressures from growing visitor numbers combined with aging infrastructure means there are some challenges maintaining a high quality outcome for wastewater. While DOC is investing to ensure solutions and upgrades for the future, a favourable outcome is still a few years from completion (IUCN Consultation, 2020).
The reticulated sewage system is currently being upgraded to ensure more effective treatment (MWRC, 2017).
Increasing pressures from growing visitor numbers combined with aging infrastructure means there are some challenges maintaining a high quality outcome for wastewater. While DOC is investing to ensure solutions and upgrades for the future, a favourable outcome is still a few years from completion (IUCN Consultation, 2020).
Overall the level of threat from the several factors affecting the World Heritage site can be assessed as low. The most prominent threat are invasive species, followed by tourism (which is diminished at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated international and national travel restrictions). Other threats include natural hazard events, especially lahars, and Skifield development. All these threats are being closely monitored and effectively managed for the most part.
Management system
Tongariro National Park is managed under a very comprehensive statutory management plan (2006), which is consulted with the public and binding on the government. The plan was revised in 2011 in respect of some recreation uses, including mountain biking, over-snow vehicle use and commercial concessions for transport to skifields and other areas (DOC, 2006a; 2006b; 2011). The Plan was going through another minor revision process to allow the development of a shared use trail on the southern side of Mount Ruapehu (Tongariro National Park Management Plan Partial Review, 2017). As a result of this process an Addendum to the current Management Plan was released (DOC, 2018). The management plan is to be reviewed fully every ten years. This full review is currently overdue and has been deferred until the Wai 1130: Te Kāhui Maunga treaty settlement process is completed, there is no set date as to when that will occur.
Effectiveness of management system
The World Heritage site is extremely well managed under a very strong legal, institutional and management framework. It is zoned for different types and levels of use into wilderness /pristine areas (covering 30%), amenity areas and skifield areas (DOC 2006a).
Boundaries
Boundaries are well marked and appropriate to ensure integrity of the World Heritage site (DOC, 2006a).
Integration into regional and national planning systems
Property management is closely tied to statutory planning systems of local and district governments (DOC, 2006a), which include protection of outstanding landscape values and natural values within the National Park (RDC 2014, TDC 2007).
Relationships with local people
Local indigenous people have a long-standing, statutory and working relationship with the authorities in protection and management. Most key statutory and non-statutory bodies in the area support the property, are consulted in management policy making and planning, and in some cases are jointly involved in management projects (DOC, 2006a). However, there is increasing concern from some indigenous groups that the management plan and its policies in relationship to skifield development are inconsistent with their own cultural values and those applicable to World Heritage status. These concerns may be addressed through the impending Wai 1130: Te Kāhui Maunga settlement between the Crown and local iwi which will influence the future management and potentially the governance of the World Heritage site (IUCN Consultation, 2017).
Legal framework
Application of very comprehensive national, regional and local legislation currently provides security of protection (DOC, 2006a). However, in Nov. 2013 the Waitangi Tribunal recommended that the site should be managed in future by a new “statutory authority comprising Crown and iwi representatives’, with current management authority removed from the Department of Conservation (Wai 1130: Te Kāhui Maunga: the National Park District Inquiry report, 2013). The Tribunal’s recommendations are not binding on the NZ Government but may result in changes to legal or management structures. Negotiations between Crown and Iwi will begin shortly, through the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process. The final settlement negotiated through this process could result in significant changes to the ownership, governance and management of the site (IUCN Consultation, 2017).
Law enforcement
Enforcement (including fire control) is carried out by the governing body responsible for the World Heritage site and it is supported by a strong legal framework.
Implementation of Committee decisions and recommendations
In 1990 at the time of inscription as a natural World Heritage site the Committee recommended that greater account be taken of the cultural values. In 1993 the site was inscribed under criterion (vi) as the first cultural landscape under the World Heritage Convention (World Heritage Committee, 1993). In response to concerns about use of poisons to control possum pests, the authorities agreed to a time-limited operation to prevent contamination of natural waterways (World Heritage Committee, 1995). In 1998 the Committee was notified of plans to mitigate hazards from volcanic eruption and lahars on Mt Ruapehu. Eruption detection and lahar early warning alarm systems were subsequently implemented following wide public consultation, including recognition of sensitivity in respect of the cultural values of the mountain (World Heritage Committee, 1998). There are no recent Committee Decisions regarding this World Heritage site.
Sustainable use
All natural and cultural values are strictly protected and no other uses of resources are permitted, apart from the rights of the indigenous people to collect some plants for cultural purposes (DOC, 2006a).
Sustainable finance
Financial resources, obtained from national and local sources are struggling to keep up with the increasing demands associated with managing the site, including the pressures on existing infrastructure from the growth in visitors. This has been supplemented by a growth on voluntary work (predominantly biodiversity projects) within the site however.
Staff capacity, training, and development
The site is managed by very well-trained and qualified staff with on-going training and capacity building opportunities available (DOC, 2006a). Recent figures on current staffing levels could not be found.
Education and interpretation programs
A school education programme exists and interpretation of the World Heritage site is aided by extensive use of the media and a large visitor centre (DOC, 2006a). Interpretation material is present in the public huts throughout the site, however there is little interpretation of the cultural values of the site.
Tourism and visitation management
Tongariro National Park is a major tourist attraction of national significance, attracting over one million visitors annually. Managing the growth in tourist use and demand and the effect which that increased visitation has on the environment is recognized as a major management problem (DOC, 2006a). This growth in demand is also placing pressure on the government to develop more facilities and infrastructure to cater for this demand. There is currently no restriction on numbers accessing the World Heritage site.
The White Island eruption in December 2019 triggered a re-evaluation of how hazard and risk information are communicated to the public and tour operators.
While DOC manages the consequences of increased visitors in recent years to 2020, it recognises the need for New Zealanders to have access to opportunities to connect with nature for the experiences it gives and how this contribution can enrich their lives.
The White Island eruption in December 2019 triggered a re-evaluation of how hazard and risk information are communicated to the public and tour operators.
While DOC manages the consequences of increased visitors in recent years to 2020, it recognises the need for New Zealanders to have access to opportunities to connect with nature for the experiences it gives and how this contribution can enrich their lives.
Monitoring
All key natural and cultural values and attributes are subject to appropriate monitoring regimes (DOC, 2006a).
Research
Wide-ranging research is on-going, including collaborative research and monitoring with national science agencies on natural hazards in particular (DOC, 2006a). Active research about the Tongariro Volcanic Complex is ongoing and numerous scientific papers continue to be published on this sbuject (e.g. Heinrich et al., 2020; Gómez-Vasconcelos et al., 2019).
Overall the protection and management of the Tongariro National Park can be assessed as highly effective. The outstanding universal value of the site is securely protected under a management regime which sets an enviable standard for sites inscribed under the World Heritage Convention. The overall legal, institutional and management framework is strong with few weaknesses. Both internal and external threats are clearly recognized and well monitored, and are subject to appropriate and effective management intervention guided by a comprehensive and sophisticated management planning system which has the support of key stakeholders.
There is close collaboration with local indigenous communities but they express increasing concern that the management plan and its policies do not adequately protect their assessment of environmental and cultural values. There is concern about the level of funding available to effectively manage the site, which is being further stretched by increasing pressure from visitors.
There is close collaboration with local indigenous communities but they express increasing concern that the management plan and its policies do not adequately protect their assessment of environmental and cultural values. There is concern about the level of funding available to effectively manage the site, which is being further stretched by increasing pressure from visitors.
Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and management in addressing threats outside the site
Mostly Effective
There are few external threats to the World Heritage site, apart from the incursion of plant and animal pests, which are regularly monitored. Development adjacent to the site is regulated by local government through local plans (RDC 2014, TDC 2007).
Best practice examples
The Tongariro NP has a formal twinning (sisterhood) relationship with the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes World Heritage property in Korea, guided by a memorandum of understanding.
Assessment of the current state and trend of World Heritage values
Low Concern
Trend
Stable
The outstanding universal value and attributes of the World Heritage site can currently be assessed as in a good and stable state. There is, however, growing concern form some indigenous groups that commercial developments and infrastructure to cater for the increased visitor demand in the property are inconsistent with World Heritage values. The scenic and aesthetic values remain essentially intact throughout the World Heritage site. The outstanding geological features are protected and operate under natural processes, apart from some limited management intervention to reduce the hazards to people.
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important biodiversity values
Low Concern
Trend
Deteriorating
Invasive species are one of the main causes of human-induced rapid environmental change leading to biodiversity decline (Sih, Ferrari & Harris, 2011). The invasive animal and plant pests in the Tongariro National Park can no longer be eradicated and continue to spread, being a latent threat. Invasive plants in particular, affect the native biota and other ecosystem properties; some of these impacts may be irreversible. Although adequate monitoring is in place, the control measures are only partially successful and would merit some revision.
Additional information
Soil stabilisation,
Water provision (importance for water quantity and quality)
It is of fundamental importance in the protection and sustainable conservation of climatic, hydrological, soil and other ecological services and amenities.
History and tradition,
Sacred natural sites or landscapes
The World Heritage site recognizes and protects traditional beliefs and customs of the local indigenous peoples, which symbolize the intimate association of the people with the land. These associative cultural values were fundamental to the genesis of the site as a national park and as the first cultural landscape inscribed under the World Heritage Convention.
Outdoor recreation and tourism
Tongariro National Park is of great significance for outdoor recreation, especially skiing and hiking, and is among the most well-known and popular national tourist destinations.
Importance for research
The site protects a natural volcanic complex of international scientific interest and global conservation significance.
The Tongariro National Park recognizes and protects beliefs and traditions symbolizing the intimate association of the local indigenous people with the land. It is a nationally and internationally significant tourist destination for outdoor recreation activities, and is significant in protection of the natural environment and the sustainable conservation of fundamentally important climatic, hydrological, soil and other ecological services.
| № | Organization | Brief description of Active Projects | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project Tongariro | Rotopounamu – Pihanga Restoration Project - Project Tongariro and the Department of Conservation (DoC) are currently developing an operating plan which aims to protect the native biodiversity of Mt Pihanga and Lake Rotopounamu by adopting a sustained integrated management approach. The area is apart of Tongariro National Park and the World Heritage Site. The project is to be community focused with integrated pest management and advocacy at its core. | |
| 2 | Department of Conservation | Kiwi Programme – protection and monitoring of the kiwi population in the Tongariro National Park | |
| 3 | Massey University & Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research | Chemical ecology of heather and its biocontrol agent - This project explores the impact of heather (Calluna vulgaris) on the native biota of the TNP, in particular how it affects communication networks and other ecological processes. It also investigates the reasons behind the limited success of its introduced biocontrol agent. |
https://www.chemical-ecology-massey.com/
|
References
| № | References |
|---|---|
| 1 |
17 COM XI
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| 2 |
19COM VII.A.2.18/19
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| 3 |
22 COM
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| 4 |
Buddenhagen, C. E. (2000). Broom control monitoring at Tongariro National Park. Department of Conservation.
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| 5 | |
| 6 |
Department of Conservation (2018). Addendum to the Tongariro National Park Management Plan 2006-2016. As required by the Partial Review 2018. June 2018. [online]. Available at: <https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/about-doc/ro…; [Accessed 19 August 2020].
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| 7 |
Department of Conservation (DOC), 2006a. Tongariro National Park Management Plan 2006-2016).
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| 8 |
Department of Conservation (DOC), 2006b. Tongariro National Park Management Plan Discussion Document.
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| 9 |
Department of Conservation (DOC), 2011. Addendum to the Tongariro National Park Management Plan 2006-2016 as required by the Partial Review 2011.
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| 10 |
Department of Conservation (DOC), 2012. Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.
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| 11 |
Effah, E., Barrett, D. P., Peterson, P. G., Potter, M. A., Holopainen, J. K., & Clavijo McCormick, A. (2020a). Effects of Two Invasive Weeds on Arthropod Community Structure on the Central Plateau of New Zealand. Plants, 9(7), 919.
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| 12 |
Effah, E., Barrett, D. P., Peterson, P. G., Potter, M. A., Holopainen, J. K., & McCormick, A. C. (2020b). Seasonal and environmental variation in volatile emissions of the New Zealand native plant Leptospermum scoparium in weed-invaded and non-invaded sites. Scientific reports, 10(1), 1-11.
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| 13 |
Gómez-Vasconcelos, M.G., Villamor, P., Procter, J., Palmer, A., Cronin, S., Wallace, C., Townsend, D., Leonard, G. (2019). Characterisation of faults as earthquake sources from geomorphic data in the Tongariro Volcanic Complex, New Zealand, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 62:1, 131-142, DOI: 10.1080/00288306.2018.1548495
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| 14 |
Gössling, S., Scott, D., & Hall, C. M. (2020). Pandemics, tourism and global change: a rapid assessment of COVID-19. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1-20.
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| 15 |
Heinrich, M., Cronin, S.J. & Pardo, N. (2020). Understanding multi-vent Plinian eruptions at Mt. Tongariro Volcanic Complex, New Zealand. Bull Volcanol 82, 30 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-020-1369-7
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| 16 |
IUCN 1990. Technical evaluation of Tongariro National Park (New Zealand) World Heritage nomination.
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| 17 |
Manawatu Whanganui Regional Council (MWRC) http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-natural-resources/cons…
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| 18 |
New Zealand Department of Conservation, 2020, Volcanic risk in Tongariro National Park. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/c…
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| 19 |
Ruapehu District Council (RDC) 2014. Ruapehu District Plan
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| 20 |
Sih, A., Ferrari, M. C., & Harris, D. J. (2011). Evolution and behavioural responses to human‐induced rapid environmental change. Evolutionary Applications, 4(2), 367-387.
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| 21 |
Stuff.co.nz, 2016, Overcrowding a growing issue in New Zealand's national parks. https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/83033637/overcrowding-a…
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| 22 |
Taupō District Council (TDC) 2007. Taupō District Plan.
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| 23 |
Townsend, D.B.; Leonard, G.S.; Conway, C.E.; Eaves, S.R.; Wilson, C.J.N. (compilers) 2017 Geology of the Tongariro National Park area. Lower Hutt, N.Z.: GNS Science. GNS Science geological map 4. 1 sheet + 109 p., scale 1:60,000
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| 24 |
Wilderness magazine, 2018, Massive growth in National Park visitors. https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/massive-growth-national-par…
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