Turangi-Tongariro Ward Essentials

The Turangi-Tongariro Ward encompasses the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park and the southern shores of Lake Taupō. This volcanic landscape features the active peaks of Mount Ngāuruhoe and Mount Tongariro, alongside the mineral-tinted Emerald Lakes and the sacred Blue Lake. Cultural highlights include the contemporary Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings, accessible by boat, and the repurposed 1943 Douglas DC-3 aircraft in Taupō, which serves as a unique local landmark.

Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings

Sculpted by Matahi Brightwell in 1980, this giant carving is recognized as one of the most impressive contemporary Māori artworks.

Lake Taupō

Lake Taupō is a large crater lake in New Zealand's North Island, located in the caldera of Taupō Volcano.

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park is the oldest national park in New Zealand, located in the central North Island.

Mount Ngāuruhoe

Mount Ngauruhoe is a volcanic cone in New Zealand. It is the youngest vent in the Tongariro stratovolcano complex on the Central Plateau of…

Emerald Lakes

Three water-filled explosion craters located along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Their brilliant green color is caused by dissolved minerals leaching from the surrounding thermal area and the nearby Red Crater.

Mount Tongariro

A complex volcano comprising at least 12 composite cones and craters. This sacred peak is the centerpiece of New Zealand's oldest national park and is a significant site in Māori mythology.

Taupo Volcano

Lake Taupō, in the centre of New Zealand's North Island, fills the caldera of the Taupō Volcano, a large rhyolitic supervolcano.

Red Crater

An active scoria cone that marks the highest point of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The crater’s vivid red coloration results from the high-temperature oxidation of iron within the volcanic rock.

Blue Lake

A cold, acidic lake filling an ancient volcanic vent. Known to Māori as Te Wai-whakaata-o-te-Rangihiroa, the lake is considered tapu (sacred), and visitors are requested to respect the site by not eating or drinking nearby.

Douglas DC-3

A decommissioned 1943 passenger plane parked in Taupō. Formerly part of the South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand, it has been repurposed as a unique dining area for a local restaurant.