A company providing visitor transport to and from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing has had its DOC concession suspended for two weeks after ignoring a Hazardous Weather Warning.
On 7 February 2026 the tourism operator transported more than 100 visitors over multiple bus trips to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track start despite a Hazardous Weather Warning based on NIWA weather forecasting – an action which potentially put lives at risk.
The incident breached the terms of the company's concession agreement with the Department of Conservation for its operations within Tongariro National Park.
Anyone wanting to use public conservation land to run a business or activity must get permission from DOC in the form of a concession. Failing to comply with concession conditions may result in permission to operate being revoked by DOC.
DOC Tongariro Operations Manager Libby O'Brien says the decision to issue the company a two-week suspension was not taken lightly.
"All operators have agreed, as part of their concessions, not to operate when a Hazardous Weather Warning has been issued for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This is for the safety of our visitors and ceasing operations is not optional.
"Despite having been warned last year after a similar breach, this operator chose to knowingly violate the terms of its concession and put lives at risk."
"This is the only company to have breached the condition, and its actions are unfair to all the other operators following the rules and working to keep our manuhiri safe."
Hazardous Weather Advisories are issued by NIWA and can be trigged by high wind speeds, low temperatures, heavy rainfall and snow.
"The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a world-famous naturing experience attracting visitors with a range of experience levels. We know some of these people will assume conditions are safe if a shuttle operator is willing to drop them off," says Libby.
"It is a challenging hike even in good conditions and can be deadly in poor weather. Conditions can change quickly, and the Hazardous Weather Advisory gives the best prediction of what might happen during the day."
DOC and the transport operators have a duty of care to the visitors who come to Tongariro, with safety the highest priority.
"This is the first time we've taken this kind of action, but we're sending a firm message to operators they need to abide the rules and put the safety of visitors first."
The transport operator will have operations in Tongariro National Park suspended for two weeks from Monday 9 March 2026 to Sunday 22 March 2026 (inclusive). Other transport providers are operating as usual.
