Mount Tongariro is in theTongariro National Park, New Zealand's first national park and one of the earliest in the world. It was set aside (literally "made sacred") in 1887 byTe Heuheu Tukino IV(Horonuku), paramount chief of theMāoriNgati Tuwharetoaiwiand made a national park in order to preserve its natural beauty. The park also includes the peaks ofNgauruhoeandRuapehu, both of which lie to the southwest of Tongariro. The national park is a dualWorld Heritage Sitefor its outstanding natural and intangible cultural values.

Mt Tongariro