Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) crews are continuing to battle a major wildfire in Tongariro National Park that has now burned through more than 2800 hectares and forced widespread evacuations and closures.
While aircraft remain grounded due to low visibility, ground crews have been reinforced with teams from Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, and the Department of Conservation, along with local volunteer firefighters from the Central Plateau.
District Commander Nigel Dravitzki said the fire’s size has increased slightly since yesterday’s estimate of 2500 hectares, with a full aerial assessment to be carried out once conditions improve. Fifteen helicopters and five fixed-wing aircraft are on standby to resume operations.
The blaze led to the evacuation of Whakapapa Village on Sunday and has forced trampers to leave the park as lodges and accommodation close. All tracks and huts within Tongariro National Park are shut, and State Highway 48 to Whakapapa Village and part of State Highway 47 near Waimarino remain closed. A thick wall of smoke continues to loom over nearby settlements as firefighters work to contain the flames.
🇳🇿 In New Zealand, the forest fire area has already reached 2.5 thousand hectares, in Tongariro National Park. pic.twitter.com/R8ADHTuDEx
— Argonaut (@FapeFop90614) November 9, 2025
