Mount Ruapehu

The Ruapehu District is located only four hours drive from either Auckland or Wellington or an even shorter drive from Waitomo Caves and Rotorua.

Ruapehu District, named after the sacred Mt Ruapehu, covers an area of 6,700 square kilometres and has a population of around 14,500 people. Mountains, deserts, lakes, pristine rivers, active volcanoes, rich farm land and native flora and fauna are all part of this unique region which is steeped in Maori and European history.

Ruapehu is one of the world's most active volcanoes and the largest active volcano in New Zealand. It is the highest point in the North Island and includes three major peaks: Tahurangi (2,797 m), Te Heuheu (2,755 m) and Paretetaitonga (2,751 m).

Whakapapa has the largest area of patrolled ski field in New Zealand (550ha) and Turoa the highest lift in the southern hemisphere, a six-seater chair dropping off skiers at 2322m.