Tongariro Alpine Crossing cultural report

Introduction

Independent consultants worked with Ngāti Hikairo to develop a report assessing the cultural impacts of visitor pressure on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Download the report

Tongariro Alpine Crossing visitor caps: An iwi view (PDF, 165K)

Report summary

This assessment was based on a structured Te Ao Māori approach to hearing the views about manuhiri and carrying capacity on Tongariro from an iwi perspective. The assessment was primarily based around a wānanga for representatives of Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro.

The report finds that:

  • Economic impacts are not considered to have primary importance. Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro see it as important to begin with Te Ao Māori and get the values right, and then the economic picture will follow.
  • If people are going to be on the maunga, the experience should be about quality, for both the people and for the environment. This includes visitors being safe, welcomed, understanding where they are walking, and what their impact is.
  • Other measures for visitor behaviour and management hold more importance than concern about the specific number of people walking on any given day.
  • Extra measures suggested included staggering start times, encouraging more guided walks, and increased presence of Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro representatives to welcome visitors at the track entrance.
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