This status recognises the park's important māori cultural and spiritual associations as well as its outstanding volcanic features. On arrival to the village call into the centre for an introduction to the national park Tongariro national park is one of three world heritage sites in new zealand The other two are te wahipounamu in the south island, and the sub antarctic islands. Legal ownership of the sacred mountain peaks increased significantly from the original 2,640 hectare tuku into a 25,000 hectare land block vested solely in the crown. This led to the establishment of the tongariro national park in 1894, a first for new zealand, and fourth in the world
In 1993, tongariro became the first property to be inscribed on the world heritage list under the revised criteria describing cultural landscapes. Tongariro is one of only three world heritage sites in new zealand, recognised for its unique cultural and natural heritage Explore the volcanic heart of tongariro national park, a landscape of stark glacial contrasts and alpine views
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