Tongariro is an active land where fire challenges the idea that geological change is slow. The mountain is a stratovolcano that stands 1987 metres tall with 12 cones that frequently erupt. It is composed of layers of both lava and tephra…

Taranaki is a mountain volcano, which looks almost too perfect to be real. The 2518m high mountains, known also as Mount Egmont, is one of the most symmetrical stratovolcanoes in the world…

Arthur’s Pass National Park is located in the heart of the South Island with an active alpine fault immediately below. It is nestled in an environment formed by those tectonic forces that pushed the earth up millions of years ago…

Abel Tasman National Park contains rock pools, estuaries, outcrops, offshore islands, and golden sand beaches that rival the tropics. It is a national park defined by its coast. Abel Tasman National Park was established in 1942…

The grandeur of Fiordland captures the imagination of New Zealanders and visitors from overseas. It is the most wild place in New Zealand, and one wildest in the world. It is a landscape formed by the forces of water with large fiords carved…

Aoraki Mount Cook is the outcome of the Pacific and Indo-Australian plates colliding for many millions of years. The tallest mountain in New Zealand – rising 3764m almost directly out of the sea…

Te Urewera is the home to one of New Zealand’s greatest forests. Almost every bird species native to the North Island is to be found in this eastern pocket of lush bush and tucked away hidden amid the dense green growth is the stunning Lake Waikairemoana…

Nelson Lakes National Park was established in 1952 and as its name suggests has many lakes both big and small. The crystal clear waters of the deep lakes at this northern tip of the South Island of New Zealand reflect the immense mountain…

Westland Tai Poutini National Park extends all the way from the highest peaks in New Zealand out to the coastline of the South Island’s rugged West Coast. It is the country’s ultimate mountains to Sea Park…

The 3555km2 Mount Aspiring National Park is a haven for native alpine plants and animals including the tiny threatened rock wren. The park is part of Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area…

The Whanganui River is an ever-present life force for the North Island of New Zealand. Of great historic importance, the river is one of the most culturally significant bodies of water in the country. Maori of Whanganui iwi have long believed that the river is…

Paparoa National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island bridges the gap between seascape and landscape. Where the park ends a marine reserve begins, demonstrating the interconnectedness…

Kahurangi National Park is the country’s second largest national park. It was established in 1996 and is 4520km2 in area. Its pristine forest remains a place where the presence of ancient Gondwanaland…

Situated at the very southern end of the country and separated by the tumultuous Foveaux Strait from the country’s two larger main islands is Rakiura Stewart Island and Rakiura National Park…