What is the name of the first national park established in New Zealand (1887)?

The first national park established in New Zealand, in 1887, was Tongariro National Park.

Tongariro became New Zealand’s first national park after Ngāti Tūwharetoa leaders conveyed the peaks of Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe, and parts of Mount Ruapehu to the Crown on 23 September 1887. The gift was made on the condition that the mountains be protected, reflecting their deep Māori spiritual and cultural significance.

The original gifted area was small, so additional land was acquired and the park was formally expanded through legislation. The Tongariro National Park Act of 1894 established a much larger protected area. Today, the park covers nearly 796 square kilometres and is managed by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.

Tongariro is famous for its volcanic scenery, including active Mount Ruapehu and the distinctive volcanic cones of Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. UNESCO recognised the park as a World Heritage Site for natural values in 1990 and added cultural values in 1993. Mount Cook National Park, Abel Tasman National Park, and Fiordland National Park were established later.