Whakapapa Village evacuated as Tongariro fire grows to 1,800 hectares

Residents of Whakapapa Village are being evacuated this evening as a precautionary measure as the wildfire burning in Tongariro National Park continues to expand, now covering an estimated 1,800 hectares.

Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) made the decision to clear the village after monitoring the fire’s behaviour throughout the day. Assistant Commander Craig Gold said the move was a proactive step to ensure safety. He said they were erring on the side of caution and getting people out in daylight after plenty of warning so that everyone could be accounted for.

Thirty-six residents were earlier warned they might need to evacuate, with the signal to leave triggered by the town’s lahar warning system. Those leaving the village are registering at the Central Plateau Emergency Management Centre in National Park, where Civil Defence is assisting anyone who needs accommodation support.

Aerial firefighting operations are continuing until twilight, with twelve helicopters and five fixed-wing aircraft battling the blaze. A separate coordination helicopter is managing the complex air movements across the fireground. Despite the scale of the fire, crews have managed to contain about 20 percent of it.

Five facilities were evacuated earlier as a precaution, including the Hillary Outdoors Education Centre, Maungatepopo School Camp, the Old Mill, Taurewa Lodge and Avondale College Lodge. Two Department of Conservation staff lodges are also being cleared, though no members of the public are directly affected by those evacuations.

Fire and Emergency is working closely with Police, iwi, DOC, and local Civil Defence officials to protect the community. The Manawatu-Whanganui Emergency Management Group is providing welfare support via the Horizons Welfare Line at 06 352 8750. Residents are urged to keep doors and windows closed to avoid smoke exposure and to self-evacuate if they feel unsafe or vulnerable.

State Highway 47 between Waimarino and Tongariro remains closed, with no detours available. DOC has also closed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and nearby areas. A no-fly zone is in effect to protect firefighting aircraft from interference by other aircraft or drones.

Specialist investigators from Fire and Emergency and Police are now working to determine the cause of the blaze, thanking members of the public who have already provided photos and eyewitness accounts to assist the inquiry.

The out-of-control wildfire burning in Tongariro National Park NZ is continuing to spread, now covering an estimated 1100ha. Fire cause unknown.
(Photo Left Source: Raewyn Simpson) (Photo right Source: Leigh Anne Whyte) pic.twitter.com/Vb6lK6YW92

— Nature'sFuryFeed (@NSfuryfeed) November 8, 2025

The Tongariro National Park wildfire from 17,000 feet pic.twitter.com/5enGGGo97s

— Brad Cowie (@nzgizmoguy) November 9, 2025