Tongariro Fire: Behind the Cordon
New Zealand Herald Visual Journalist Mike Scott spent days covering the two Tongariro fires, which tore through more than 3000ha of Tongariro National Park in November and December, both sparked by vehicles sending hot metal fragments into roadside vegetation.
Image 1 of 40: 09 December,, 2025 A second wildfire scorched through section of Tongariro National Park, the second fire within a month. Thankfully the second fire was contained quicker and with less damage compared to the November blaze. Volunteer fire fighters search for hotspots to dowse using grubbers, axes and thermal cameras. New Zealand Herald photograph by Mike Scott
