Late 2025 Wildfires

The story so far

A wildfire that began on Saturday 8 November in Tongariro National Park grew to an estimated 1600 hectares, and dozens of hikers and a hut warden were evacuated from the Mangatepopo Valley.^{8 Nov 2025} It later reached about 2500 hectares and prompted evacuations of residents and trampers, including in Whakapapa Village.^{10 Nov 2025} Light rain and misty conditions helped crews, and the fire finally burned between 2800 and 3000 hectares.^{10, 11 Nov 2025} A hunter reported seeing at least 10 burning scrub piles near the site, and investigators asked for dashcam footage from State Highway 47, but authorities ruled out a nearby controlled burn as the cause.^{9, 11, 13 Nov 2025} Management of the site was handed back to the Department of Conservation, which said it would take weeks to assess the long-term damage, and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing reopened after a seven-day rāhui.^{12, 13, 17 Nov 2025}

Latest

On 8 December, multiple vegetation fires in Tongariro National Park closed State Highway 47 and led to residents being urged to prepare for possible evacuation, and the merged blaze burned roughly 300 hectares before being contained by Tuesday afternoon.^{8, 9, 10 Dec 2025}

Key moments

1. 8 Nov 2025Out-of-control wildfire grows to 1600 hectares; hikers and a hut warden evacuated.
2. 10 Nov 2025Fire reaches about 2500 hectares, with evacuations including Whakapapa Village.
3. 11 Nov 2025Rain helps crews; fire burns up to 3000 hectares and investigators seek dashcam footage.
4. 13 Nov 2025Department of Conservation rules out nearby controlled burn as the cause.
5. 17 Nov 2025Tongariro Alpine Crossing reopens after a seven-day rāhui.
6. 8 Dec 2025Multiple new fires in the park close State Highway 47.
7. 9 Dec 2025Large fire of about 322 hectares is fully contained.
8. 10 Dec 2025Huts and tracks set to reopen after the December fire.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.