Tamatea Intermediate School's volcano studies took on unexpected realism as Tongariro erupted in front of a fifth of the Hawkes Bay school's pupils on a trek during their end-of-year camp yesterday.

Police say they would "discourage" sightseers from travelling to Mt Tongariro following an eruption at the Te Maari crater today.

Lydia Jenkin drops the shops and experiences a Ladies' Weekend with a difference - caving, climbing and trekking in Tongariro National Park.

Cliff Taylor dodges missiles and fickle weather on the Tongariro Crossing.

Fraser Crichton joins a Project Tongariro field trip kayaking at Waimarino Wetland Reserve on Lake Taupo.

A moonlit weekend gives Fraser Crichton an opportunity to find out more about Project Tongariro's high-tech Tongariro Alpine Crossing experience.

Officials are looking at reopening tracks which have been closed since the mountain's eruption.

Tongariro erupted late on August 6, throwing out rock, ash and steam. It was the first time since 1897 that it had erupted.

Only hours after Judy Bailey completed the Tongariro Crossing, the volcano awoke from its century-long slumber...

Scientists, wary of another eruption, have managed to move as close to Mr Tongariro as is safely possible since Monday night's unexpected blast.

Interest in the Tongariro Alpine Crossing has gone "through the roof" since Mount Tongariro erupted on Monday night.

Locals have criticised the response to last night's Tongariro eruption as too slow but authorities have defended their procedures, saying they quickly established there was no immediate risk and put plans in place.

Rotoaira local David Bennett was concerned by the lack of communication between the authorities and National Park residents when Mt Tongariro erupted about 4km from his home last night.

The aviation colour code around Mt Tongariro has been downgraded from red to orange, but the volcanic alert level remains at 2.

Mt Tongariro is one of three major volcanos in the central North Island, sitting alongside mounts Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.

Mt Tongariro erupted for the first time in over a century at 11.50pm on August 6, 2012, raining ash onto many Central North Island roads and homes.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says today's wind map shows building north to north west winds which should keep the ash around less populated parts of NZ.

News of Tongariro's eruption sparked a flurry of activity by Kiwis who have been awake into the early morning.

Edward Rooney discovers he could get used to the pleasures that come with being chairman of the board.

New Zealand's landscape is home to many active and dormant volcanoes.