New Zealand national parks

Map of National Parks in New Zealand

There are 13 national parks in New Zealand and they feature 12,000 kilometres of walking tracks and 1,000 huts for overnight stays. Trails range from 15-minute scenic walks to demanding multi-day hikes and ice or mountain climbs – you need to don a pair of hiking boots to explore some of the most pristine corners of New Zealand.

Many of the national parks are recognized not only in New Zealand but internationally; the North Island’s Tongariro National Park, for example, is a World Heritage Site of natural and cultural significance, while in the South Island, four national parks – Westland Tai Poutini, Aoraki Mount Cook, Fiordland, and Mount Aspiring – combine to form another World Heritage Site, Te Wahipounamu. The numerous regional parks are very close to cities, providing easy access to great outdoor adventures that range from wildlife walks and mountain bike tracks to cultural tours.