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Story: Protected areas

New Zealand’s national parks at 11 May 2019

National Park Year established Area (hectares)
Tongariro 1894 78,618
Egmont 1900 34,170
Fiordland 1952 1,260,288
Arthur’s Pass 1929 118,472
Abel Tasman 1942 23,703
Aoraki/Mount Cook 1953 72,164
Nelson Lakes 1956 101,880
Westland Tai Poutini 1960 131,978
Mount Aspiring 1964 355,522
Whanganui 1986 74,191
Paparoa 1987 39,037
Kahurangi 1996 517,335
Rakiura 2002 139,960
Total area 2,947,318

At 11 May 2019 New Zealand had 13 national parks, covering 2,947,318 hectares – around 11% of the country. This table shows the date each park was established by statute, and its area.

Using this item

Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Department of Conservation

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How to cite this page

Les Molloy, Protected areas – National parks, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/table/13842/new-zealands-national-parks-at-11-may-2019 (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Les Molloy, published 2 March 2009, updated 1 September 2015.