The national parks of New Zealand are protected natural areas administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Although the national parks contain some of New Zealand's most beautiful scenery, the first few established were all focused on mountain scenery. Since the 1980s the focus has been on developing a more diverse representation of New Zealand landscapes. The parks are all culturally significant and many also contain historic features. Tongariro National Park is one of the World Heritage Sites that are of both cultural and natural significance, while four of the South Island national parks form Te Wahipounamu, another World Heritage Site. There are currently 13 national parks; a 14th, Te Urewera National Park, was disestablished in 2014.
The Department of Conservation is the public service department of New Zealand charged with the conservation of New Zealand's natural and historical heritage.
Mavora Lakes is a protected area in the South Island of New Zealand consisting of two lakes: North Mavora and South Mavora. The lakes are drained by the Mararoa River. The area is managed by the Department of Conservation, and is part of Te Wahipounamu, a World Heritage Area.
Protected areas of New Zealand receive protection to preserve their environmental, historical or cultural value. The method and aims of protection vary according to the importance of the resource and whether it has public or private status.
The Kepler Track is a 60 km (37 mi) circular hiking track which travels through the landscape of the South Island of New Zealand and is situated near the town of Te Anau. The track passes through many landscapes of the Fiordland National Park such as rocky mountain ridges, tall mossy forests, lake shores, deep gorges, rare wetlands and rivers. Like the mountains it traverses, the track is named after Johannes Kepler. The track is one of the New Zealand Great Walks and is administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is a publicly accessible conservation park in the North Island of New Zealand. The park is centered on the town of Minginui and part of the eastern boundary flanks Te Urewera. The Whirinaki Forest is one of the world's last prehistoric rainforests.
Ngāti Tūrangitukua is a Māori iwi (tribe) in Turangi, New Zealand. It is a hapu (sub-tribe) of the Ngati Tuwharetoa iwi.
Tramping, known elsewhere as backpacking, rambling, hill walking or bushwalking, is a popular activity in New Zealand.
Mount Richmond Forest Park is a forest park in New Zealand, administered by the Department of Conservation.
Te Papanui Conservation Park is a mainland island in the Otago Region of New Zealand.
Eyre Mountains/Taka Ra Haka Conservation Park is a protected area and mountain range in the Southland District and Southland Region of New Zealand's South Island.
Hanmer Conservation Park is a protected area in the Hurunui District and Canterbury Region of New Zealand's South Island.
Kaimanawa Forest Park is a protected area south of Lake Taupo and east of Mount Tongariro in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. It is situated in the Rangitikei District and Manawatū-Whanganui Region of New Zealand's South Island.
Ka Whata Tu O Rakihouia Conservation Park is a protected area covering part of the Seaward Kaikoura Range. It is located between Kaikōura and Clarence in the Kaikōura District and Canterbury Region of New Zealand's South Island.
Ruataniwha Conservation Park is a protected area near Twizel, in the Mackenzie District and Canterbury Region of New Zealand's South Island.
Raukumara Conservation Park or Raukūmara Conservation Park is a protected area in the Gisborne District of New Zealand's North Island.
Ruahine Forest Park is a protected area in New Zealand's North Island, predominantly in Rangitikei District in Manawatū-Whanganui.
Oteake Conservation Park is a protected area in the Waitaki District and Otago Region of New Zealand's South Island.
Northland Conservation Park is a group of protected areas in the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island.
Maniniaro / Angelus Peak is a mountain in Nelson Lakes National Park, near the northwestern extent of New Zealand's main divide. Although it is not the tallest peak in the Angelus Ridge or the wider Travers Range, Maniniaro remains a popular tramping destination and is significant to the Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō iwi, who claim mana whenua within the area. According to Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō beliefs, the mountain is intrinsically linked with nearby Rotomaninitua / Lake Angelus, with the two both said to represent the footprints of the iwi's ancestors as they embarked on their journey back to Hawaiki. It is also near both major lakes of the national park, being roughly 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the southern ends of both Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa.
