An accidental “mishap” with a vehicle is believed to have started the fire in the central plateau, which is now fully contained.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand incident controller Renee Potae told media yesterday police had informed the organisation they had made good lines of inquiry as to how the fire started.

“It does seem to be unintentional, a misstep with a vehicle basically.”

In a further update in the afternoon, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the fire was fully contained.

Potae praised the efforts of everyone involved.

“We’ll work through with the aim of handing the incident to the Department of Conservation on Thursday,” Potae said.

At 1.30pm the fire’s size was 296ha, down from 322 this morning, with an 8.5km perimeter.

Fire and Emergency will continue to work with police to investigate the fire, she said.

Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro has extended the rāhui from the previous fire to all affected lands.

Tongariro fire: tracks reopen

Visitors can safely return to tracks and huts in Tongariro National Park on Wednesday 10 December, but caution is advised around traffic-controlled areas of State Highway 47, DOC said in a staement,

The fire affected around 300 hectares of Tongariro National Park, in an area near the previous, devastating, November fire.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand have declared the fire completely contained, and the Park’s tracks and huts are safe from the impacts of fire.

State Highway 47 is due to reopen at 9pm  last night with a section restricted to single lane traffic under speed restrictions. Access to State Highway 48 and Whakapapa Village will be restored.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the Tongariro Northern Circuit, and all walks in and around Whakapapa Village will be open from Wednesday, December 10.

Department of Conservation Tongariro Operations Manager Libby O’Brien said the news was a relief for the community.

“Our community have been feeling it, both the loss of these beautiful parts of the park, and also the loss of tourism so many rely on.

“By opening up our tracks and huts we are saying, ‘yes it’s safe, yes you can visit, nau mai haere mai ki Tongariro National Park.

“With the one caveat – as single lane restrictions continue to apply on State Highway 47, we’re requesting people continue to use shuttle operators to visit the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

“While we want visitors to return, we’re also asking people to limit driving through the traffic-controlled section of State Highway 47 between Mangatepopo Road and State Highway 48. To help all those still responding to the fire, please take a shuttle to the crossing.”

There are no restrictions on State Highway 48 to Whakapapa Village, and the popular destination is fully open to visitors.

Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro spokesperson Te Ngaehe Wanikau said the latest fire has placed continued strain on the whenua, taiao, and people.

“As mana whenua and kaitiaki of Tongariro, it is our responsibility to respond in a way that upholds the mauri of the land and ensures its healing for generations to come.

“We have chosen to incorporate the landscape of this latest fire in the 10-year rāhui whakaora (restorative rāhui), for a unified approach to recovery.

“This decision reflects both our deep cultural obligations and the clear environmental need to restrict access, limit disturbance, and allow the maunga and its ecosystems the time they require to recover.

“We ask the public, visitors, and all those who love Tongariro to uphold and respect this rāhui. It is a protective measure – not just for the land, but for the wellbeing of our community.”

O’Brien said the community is at the heart of Tongariro.

“We weather these events as a community, and as a community, we’re ready to welcome visitors back to the park.”

-Additonal reporting by Lochlan Lineham