30 September 2026 Native plants are returning to parts of Tongariro National Park damaged by last year’s fires, but conservation workers say weeds and browsing animals remain a...
30 September 2026
Native plants are returning to parts of Tongariro National Park damaged by last year’s fires, but conservation workers say weeds and browsing animals remain a serious threat to the fragile recovery.
The fires in late 2025 burned more than 3,000 hectares of slow-growing alpine ecosystems. Since then, the Department of Conservation (DOC), iwi, contractors and neighbouring landowners have been working to give the landscape its best chance to recover naturally.
DOC Operations Manager Libby O’Brien says some native plants, including flax, are growing back quickly. That early progress is encouraging, but it could be undone if weeds spread through the burned areas.
“We’re seeing things like flax recovering quickly, but the plants here are still really vulnerable to being overgrown by weeds,” O’Brien says.
More than 250 hectares of weed control have been carried out so far. Crews have worked on the ground and from the air, while drones are being used to find pests and track changes across the landscape.
Deer control is another part of the effort. DOC says 91 deer have been removed from the area, with 25 delivered to a local marae for kai. Hares are also among the introduced animals that can damage recovering vegetation.
O’Brien says the work brings together iwi, weed and deer control contractors, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and adjacent landowners. The aim is to protect the new growth while the alpine ecosystem heals at its own pace.
In February, $3.5 million from the International Visitor Levy was allocated over five years to Tongariro’s recovery. The funding covers the wider landscape, including the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Visitors should not expect the signs of damage to disappear quickly. O’Brien says yellow broom will still be visible in the park this year because the weeds have not been eradicated.
“This is a long-term project, and it will take time to see results,” she says.
The recovery matters well beyond the park itself. Tongariro holds deep cultural significance, draws visitors from around the world and supports communities and businesses in the region. DOC is inviting the public to hear about the work at a community open day.
| Tongariro recovery open day | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, 16 October 2026 |
| Time | 10am |
| Venue | Blue Mountain Adventure Centre, Raurimu |
| More information and RSVP | DOC Tongariro Facebook page |
Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro has placed a 10-year restorative rāhui over the fire-affected area. DOC is asking visitors to respect it and avoid putting additional pressure on the recovering land.
The return of native plants is a promising start. Keeping weeds and browsing animals under control will determine how much of that growth survives in the years ahead.
