11 Mar 2020

Could ignoring rahui in a National Park threaten its status?

From Nine To Noon, 9:36 am on 11 March 2020

There's a warning the World Heritage status of Tongariro National Park could be threatened by people flouting rahui in the area. The Park has been under a rahui, or temporary restriction, twice already this year after the deaths of two trampers on the Tongariro Crossing. But DOC says the rahui are being ignored, largely by New Zealanders. While rahui are not legally enforceable, they're culturally significant - and continued flouting of rahui could lead to the Park having its designation as a site of cultural significance stripped when it is next up for review by UNESCO. Joining Kathryn to discuss this is Connie Norgate, Tongariro Operations Manager for DOC and Te Ngaehe Wanikau, a spokesman for Ngāti Hikairo and Terry Blumhardt, who runs Tongariro Guided Walks.

Red crater of Mount Tongariro, an active volcanic vent in New Zealand

Photo: 123RF