Tongariro – Useful Tips and Maori Place Names
Chapter 7: General Information
Thanks to its central location and good transport links, situated halfway between Auckland and Wellington, the park is easy to reach. The main north-south roads run along the park’s borders: Highways 1 and 4, as well as the main railway line.
Accommodation around the park can be found in the towns of Turangi, National Park, Ohakune and Waiouru, from which shuttle buses run to the start and end points of hiking trails, ski areas or Whakapapa. Within the park itself, Whakapapa offers accommodation of all categories, from motor camps to the exclusive ‘The Grand Chateau’ hotel. In addition, there are two DoC campsites and nine hiking huts open all year round.
The park is criss-crossed by various length walks and educational trails. The Tongariro Crossing is particularly well-known. This five to seven-hour hike crosses the spectacular crater plateau and is considered the most beautiful day hike. Ascending Ngauruhoe or staying overnight in the huts are further options. This allows you to extend the Tongariro Northern Circuit tour into a three to four-day circular hike and discover more of the park’s gems. For the very sporty, the five-day Round-the-Mountain hike around Ruapehu is also available.
The view into Ruapehu’s ‘hell’s maw’ is truly a highlight. Anyone daring the ascent should first check with the park administration about the conditions. The easier route follows an unmarked path from the end of Bruce Road, initially through the Whakapapa ski area, to the refuge hut at 2672m on the summit plateau. To the south lies the highest peak of the massif, 2797m above sea level, which only well-equipped and experienced mountaineers should attempt. The rock is steep and crumbly. Ash, scree and ice remnants form an unpredictable surface; in winter and spring, there is a high risk of avalanches. The most favourable starting point here is the end of the Ohakune mountain road at the foot of the Turoa ski area.
Information is primarily provided by the Department of Conservation visitor centres in Ohakune, Turangi and Whakapapa. Display boards, dioramas, audio-visual presentations, current weather reports, literature, maps and well-informed staff provide detailed information about activities in the park. Before a hike, for your safety in an emergency, you should always leave a message there about your schedule, route, participants, etc.
Maori Place Names
Freer translations of traditional place names from James Cowan’s original park handbook (1927)
Hauhungatahi: Occasionally covered in snow; a freestanding volcanic peak near Erua.
Heuheu: Undergrowth or small forest plants; family name of the park founder (land donation!); a peak of Ruapehu is named in his honour.
Iti: small
Ketetahi: A basket; hot springs on the northern slopes of Tongariro.
Kohatu: Rock; Te Kohatu, a prominent rock in the upper Makatote Valley, marked the southern boundary of the Tuwharetoa tribal territory.
Ma or Manga: Stream or branch of a river.
Mahuia: Confluence of streams (or flow of the huia); the campsite of this name is near the junction of the Mangahuia River with the Whakapapaiti. Mahuia is a short form of Mangahuia.
Makatote: Stream of the katote, the tree fern, over which the Makatote railway viaduct spans.
Makotuku: Stream of the white heron.
Mangaehuehu: Stormy river or stream of splashing water.
Mangateitei: Stream flowing down from the heights.
Mangatoetoenui: Stream bordered by toetoe, a tall grass species.
Mangawhero: Stream with reddish banks or reddish water; presumably refers to the red algae found there; crossed by the Ohakune mountain road.
Ngauruhoe: Name of a slave of the priest Ngatoro-i-rangi (see Maori legends), second highest volcano in the park (2291m).
Nui: large
Ohinepango: The place of the dark-skinned girl Hinepango; source and tributary to the Waihohonu stream.
Onetapu: Sacred sand; another name for the Rangipo Desert.
Papakai: the place where food grows.
Papamanuka: Plain of Manuka trees; west of Pukeonake.
Paretetaitonga: Dust (or snow) from the southern sea; allusion to the ice cap and heavy snowfalls during southerly storms, one of the Ruapehu peaks.
Pihanga: a window-like opening in the roof of a large house to allow smoke to escape; the summit of Mount Pihanga in the Kakaramea mountain range resembles such an opening.
Puke: Hill
Pukekaikiore: Hill where the human rat was eaten; there the Tuwharetoa tribe defeated the Hotu tribe more than 400 years ago. Volcanic cone and stream west of Mangatepopo Hut.
Pukeonake: evenly sloping hill. Volcanic cone west of Mangatepopo Hut.
Puna: Water source
Rangipo: Darkened sky; also name of the Onetapu Desert; presumably refers to the entire region between the volcanoes and the Kaimanawa Mountains.
Roto: Lake
Ruapehu: the crater exploding with bangs.
Tangiwai: Sound of water; rising and falling voice of a river or waterfall, similar to a Maori lament.
Tawhai: The Beech: waterfalls near Highway 48 to Whakapapa.
Tongariro: tonga (south wind) – riro (captured or carried away).
Wai: Water
Waihohonu: deep river; originates southeast of Ngauruhoe.
Waikato: Flowing water or collected water; flows north to Lake Taupo as the Tongariro River along the park’s eastern boundary.
Waimarino: still waters
Whakapapa: to lay flat, to spread out; after an inter-tribal battle, the bodies of the fallen were laid there before their ceremonial consumption. Name of the only permanent settlement and largest ski area in the park.
The hot heart of New Zealand – more about Tongariro National Park:
Chapter 1: Sunrise on the summit of Ngauruhoe
Chapter 2: Māori and their myths
Chapter 3: Spectacular Tongariro: the Crossing and the Northern Circuit
Chapter 4: Oturere and Waihohonu – desolation and abundance of life
Chapter 5: Ruapehu – the sleeping giant or the wolf in sheep’s clothing
Chapter 6: Snow dance on the volcano
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!