9 Dec 2025

DOC investigating after hikers dropped at Tongariro crossing

From Checkpoint, 4:45 pm on 9 December 2025

DOC is investigating after shuttle operators dropped hikers at the start of the Tongariro Alpine crossing despite a bad weather forecast, Meaning they shouldn't be on the track. Transport operators must adhere to official NIWA advisories and not take anyone to the walk if there's a bad forecast. Meanwhile multiple blazes have broken out in Tongariro, just a month after another massive wildfire ripped through three thousand hectares of the national park. Tongariro Operations Manager Libby O'Brien spoke to Lisa Owen.