A man died hiking in Tongariro National Park on Dec. 26, 2025, prompting a rāhui and trail closures.

A rāhui has been imposed on parts of Tongariro National Park, including the Taranaki Falls and Tama Lakes tracks, after a man died on Friday, December 26, 2025, while hiking. Police say he became unresponsive and died at the scene, with no suspicion of foul play, and the case has been referred to the coroner. The local Māori hapū, Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro, enacted the restriction in mourning, affecting access to sections of the Tongariro Northern Circuit until December 30. Authorities and guiding operators have been notified, and hikers are urged to use alternative trails. A separate wildfire on the Central Plateau, sparked on Saturday, has burned 400 hectares, prompting evacuations and warnings to avoid the area, while dangerous avalanche conditions persist.