Tongariro National Park
UNESCO site
Date of inscriptio: 1993
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.
Tongariro lies at the south-western terminus of a Pacific
chain of volcanoes aligned along a major tectonic plate boundary. The park's
volcanoes, which are outstanding scenic features of the island, contain a
complete range of volcanic features. The related ecological succession of plant
communities is of special scientific interest. The site is directly associated
with the living traditions, beliefs and artistic works of the Maori people,
whcih are of outstanding universal significance.
Tongariro National Park is situated on the central North
Island volcanic plateau. The boundary encircles the Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and
Tongariro mountain massif at an altitude of 500-1,550 m. An outlier, 3 km north
of the main park area and separated from it by Lake Rotoaira, includes Lake
Rotopounamu, Mount Pihanga and Mount Kakaramea.
Source: UNESCO.org
