A Gift

In September 1887 the sacred mountain peaks, Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, were gifted to the people of  New Zealand by the Paramount Chief of Ngati Tuwharetoa, Horonuku Te Heu Heu Tukino thus ensuring their protection for all people for all time. This gift formed the nucleus of Tongariro National Park, the first in New Zealand