The owner of a lodge near Tongariro National Park, says areas of the land have been reduced to ash by a raging wildfire spreading more than 2500 hectares.
The fire began on Saturday and was just 20 percent contained. It had led to the evacuation of trampers, lodges, the Hillary Outdoor Centre and Whakapapa Village.
The owner of Tongariro Crossing Lodge, Louis van Wyk, said he had walked past the area where the fire first started shortly beforehand and was shocked by how different it now looked.
"By yesterday I could see the areas we'd walked through were now just ash and burnt."
It was devastating, van Wyk said, as it was a very sensitive and biodiverse area.
He'd spent his Sunday helping fill the planes that were dousing the flames with water and said on Monday his main job now was managing inquiries from guests trying to decided if they wanted to cancel their bookings or still come.
Firefighters continue to battle the Tongariro National Park wildfire. Photo: Fire and Emergency
"We're hoping with the rain now things are going to settle down and once the fire is out they can see what the condition is like on the tracks.
"I'm looking forward to hearing what the results are and whether anything will be open later on in the week for people to come and view."
Sam and Kaz Clarkson, who owned the Skotel Alpine Resort spent last night in Waimarino after Whakapapa village was evacuated.
They were hopeful they could return on Monday given the wet weather.
Sam Clarkson said he felt "relaxed" about the threat as beech trees by the village provided a "natural defence line".
Meanwhile, Hillary Outdoors safety manager Graeme Swift can't work today due to closure of State Highway 47.
He said schools had cancelled their visits for Monday while they waited for more news.
Gillian and John Visser, owners of the Adventure Lodge and Motel, said they had no cancellations on Monday.
They worried though about the effects on business if the Tongariro Crossing was closed.
"They're unsure about coming here because they think they're going to find a wall of fire and every road closed," Gillian Visser said.
"I've just been telling them that there are roads open because they'll find something lovely here."
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