Mt Ruapehu is located in the World Heritage site of Tongairo National Park; New Zealand's first national park, gifted to the people of New Zealand by the paramount chief of Ngati Tuwharetoa, Horonuku Te Heu Heu Tukino in 1887. This status recognises the parks important Maori cultural and spiritual associations as well as it's remarkable volcanic features.
Tongariro National Park is centred on three active volcanoes; Tongariro (1,968m), Ngaruahoe (2,290m) and Ruapehu (2,797m). The volcanoes and their glaciers, plants and animals represent a set of landforms and natural communities which have been recognised as an outstanding heritage region of international importance.