Spokesperson Te Ngaehe Wanikau said restoration was about the spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing of Tongariro.
“We’re being very strategic in placing this rāhui. Our biggest fear is two weeks, two months down the track everyone forgets about the fire, and we’re left with a landscape of weeds.
“Instead, we’re reinforcing a focus on restoring Tongariro. It’s a rāhui for people to come together, pool resources and heal.”
He said iwi still expected people to walk on tracks.
“But we’re looking to a future where people will come here just to be a part of the healing of the maunga.”
DoC operations director Damian Coutts said DoC supported the restorative rāhui and looked forward to welcoming people to help with the recovery.
– RNZ