A huge wildfire in Tongariro National Park is expected to have significant impacts on biodiversity.
The large fire on the Central Plateau broke out on Saturday afternoon, triggering evacuations of trampers and residents, including Whakapapa Village.
Firefighters have been battling the fire for three days, which has since grown to over 2800 hectares.
Here's how it unfolded in pictures:
Pictures from Saturday, 8 November
A view of the fire from Tongariro Crossing. Photo: RNZ / Hamish Cardwell
Tongariro on Saturday, a few hours after the fire broke out. Photo: Supplied/ Liz Brooker
The fire in Tongariro National Park as the sun starts to set on Saturday evening. Photo: Supplied / David Golding
Tongariro on Saturday 8 November 2025, a few hours after the fire broke out. Photo: Kristina Montgomerie / @kristinamonts
The fire in Tongariro National Park, on the night of Saturday 8 November, 2025. Photo: Supplied
Pictures from Sunday, 9 November
A huge amount of smoke obscures Tongariro as a wildfire continues to rage into Sunday morning. Photo: RNZ / Hamish Cardwell
A number of helicopters with monsoon buckets and planes are fighting the blaze in Tongariro National Park. Photo: RNZ / Hamish Cardwell
A view of the Tongariro wildfire taken from SH48. Photo: RNZ / Hamish Cardwell
Smoke from the huge Tongariro National Park fire behind the historic Chateau Tongariro on Sunday 9 November 2025. Photo: Supplied / Dean Buckeridge
The Tongariro fire as seen from near the summit of Mt Ruapehu. Photo: Supplied / Max Rayner
The Tongariro fire as seen from near the summit of Mt Ruapehu. Photo: Supplied / Max Rayner
Pictures from Monday, 10 November
Firefighters have been battling the blaze for three days. Photo: RNZ/Dan Jones
Officials provide an update on the fire, confirming it has spreads to nearly 3000 hectares. Photo: RNZ/Dan Jones
Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton says it's been a stressful few days for his community. Photo: RNZ/Dan Jones
Firefighters continue to battle the Tongariro National Park wildfire on Monday. Photo: Fire and Emergency NZ
An aerial view of the fire on Monday. Photo: Fire and Emergency NZ
An aerial view of the fire on Monday. Photo: Fire and Emergency
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