Tongariro Conservation Area
Tongariro Conservation Area is a major 22,535 ha block in the Manawatu-Wanganui region, taken out under the Ruapehu permit area. It wraps the central volcanic plateau outside the national park, ringing the Tongariro–Ruapehu massif with broad bush country.
Elevations run from about 272 m up to 1,090 m, with a median around 701 m. None of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline, so it is bush country across the full block. The block has a north-west-and-north lean, with about 19% of the country facing north-west, 17% north and useful shares to west. Southerly aspects are limited. That gives a workable spread of sun-facing and shaded sidles depending on wind.
Game on the permit includes red deer, sika, wild goat and wild pig. It is one of the larger sika-permitted blocks in the central North Island.
Open Tongariro Conservation Area on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 63,992 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 272–1,090 m
- Median elevation
- 701 m
- Middle 50%
- 602–776 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- north-west-facing
272–1,090 m, foothill country with low tops, leaning north-west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Ten Man Hut sits inside the block, a non-bookable DOC hut. Pokaka Mill Campsite gives a road-accessible base on the south-west side. Otherwise plan to fly-camp on a trip into the back country.
Air access by helicopter is not permitted here. The block is flagged for wild animal recovery operations (WARO), so commercial helicopter parties may be working the same country.
Huts & campsites
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Campsites: Pokaka Mill Campsite.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Ruapehu permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
A DOC hunting permit is required, taken out under the Ruapehu permit area. The block is classed as Ordinary with hunting permitted year-round, so there is no ballot or seasonal restriction to plan around.
1080 & pesticide status
No current, planned or proposed pesticide operations intersect this block in our data. Always confirm with DOC before taking a dog in.
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