Page 316 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Volcanic Landscapes of New Zealand 293

on the island continually emit gases at rates of nation. The outstanding natural values of Tongariro
several hundred to several thousand tonnes per were officially recognized in 1990 when it was
day. The gases are mostly steam, carbon dioxide awarded world heritage status. The area’s important
and sulphur dioxide, with small quantities of Maori cultural associations were also accorded the
chlorine and fluorine. Acid gases combine with same status in 1993, making the park one of the
water in the steam to form acid droplets that can few with double world heritage status. The park is
sting the eyes and skin, and can affect breathing, currently managed by the Department of
and can also damage cameras, electronic equipment Conservation.
and clothes. As a national park, the Tongariro National
In spite of its hostile environment, White Park Management Plan documents the objectives
Island is host to a number of bird species including of its management and outlines the way the park,
a gannet colony, and has had human settlement in including natural hazards from volcanism and
the form of sulphur mining. The sulphur mining human impacts from tourism are managed. In a
venture on the island stopped abruptly in 1914 national park it is essential that significant areas
when part of the crater wall collapsed and a receive a very high degree of protection from
landslide destroyed the mine and village with 12 human intervention. This is reinforced by the
lives lost. Mining resumed again in the 1920s and world heritage cultural and landscape status of the
the remains of buildings from that era are a tourist park that in turn creates global obligations for
attraction. The sulphur was used to make fertiliser, protection and monitoring of its environmental
for export as sulphur ore, and for the manufacture values. On Mt Ruapehu the area above 2250m
of sulphuric acid (Robinson, 2006). except within the ski area boundaries (up to
2320m) is designated a Pristine Area under the
Tongariro National Park Resource Management Act (1991) to avoid human
The volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park and intervention or development and to offset more
Mt Ruapehu in particular are one of the major intensive development in the Amenity designated
areas of outdoor recreation in New Zealand. areas around the skifields below. This reinforces
Past volcanic activity has created a varied alpine the original Gift Area, and is essential for retaining
landscape, with Rotorua the largest such area close and enhancing the pervading aspects of wildness,
to the major population centre of Auckland and quietness and outstanding visual features in the
therefore to the majority of international tourist vicinity of the Crater Lake plus the park’s very
flows through Auckland airport. The Ruapehu significant cultural, historical and conservation
Crater Lake is second only to the hiking trail values.
known as the Tongariro Crossing in the park as a
focus of visitation to active volcanic landscapes. Patterns of tourism
Visitation is not however limited to volcanic Forer and Pearce noted in 1984 that the Tongariro
features; Ruapehu and the other volcanoes are National Park, Rotorua, Auckland and White
internationally known skifields so domestic and Island were essential components of one of New
international skiers, snow boarders, climbers, Zealand’s longest and most favoured tourism
hikers, sightseers and others also enjoy this park circuits. This is of course primarily due to the
for a much wider range of attractions. Nevertheless, mountains created by volcanism, although Maori
the active volcanic nature clearly adds to the culture also plays a part (Forer and Pearce, 1984).
attraction for many of the people who come to The park was created to protect the land
the park. encompassed by the three volcanoes of Tongariro,
Tongariro is New Zealand’s oldest national Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. On Tongariro current
park and the fourth oldest park in the world (Keys volcanic activity is limited to geothermal features
and Green, 2004). It was established in 1887 when such as warm ground, steam and gas emissions,
Horonuku Te Heuheu Tukino, the paramount and hot springs. The most active area is Ketetahi
chief of the Ngati Tuwharetoa Confederation of hot springs on the flanks of the volcano. This area
tribes gifted the central portion of the park to the can be approached easily by a two hour walk (one

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