Heritage et AL

New Zealand History’s website has a wonderful timeline which informs us that on this day, November the thirteenth, in 1896 Mount Tongariro ‘erupted spectacularly’. This initial eruption started a series which continued on for almost a year and it makes fascinating reading browsing the contemporary accounts on Papers Past . Te Ara have a picture of Tongariro erupting that they have dated as likely from this time. Ref: Auckland Weekly News,  Showing Ketetahi sulphur springs on Mount Tongariro , 2 October 1902, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19021002-7-3

The National Parks Act was introduced in 1950 and the Department of Conservation Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park was established 60 years ago - this region is a significant area of skill testing for accomplished climbers, including Sir Edmund Hillary who made the historical first ascent of Everest the same year the park was formalized. The park's alpine environment includes 19 peaks, its namesake as well as Mount Tasman which are two of the highest mountains in New Zealand.  Ref: 35-R2239, View from Lake Pukaki towards Mount Cook, Sir George Grey Special Collections Ref: AWNS-19371215-47-1, A view of Mount Tasman, 1937, Sir George Grey Special  Collections