Complete list of 13 national parks in New Zealand

Abel Tasman

Aoraki/Mount Cook

Arthur's Pass

Egmont

Fiordland

Kahurangi

Mount Aspiring

Nelson Lakes

Paparoa

Rakiura

Te Urewera

Tongariro

Westland Tai Poutini

New Zealand National Parks

Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its golden beaches, turquoise waters, and native forests. The park features one of New Zealand's Great Walks, the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The area is home to fur seals, dolphins, and numerous bird species.

Home to New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park features spectacular glaciers, permanent snow fields, and extensive alpine areas. The park contains 19 peaks over 3,000 meters including Aoraki/Mount Cook. It is a popular destination for mountaineering, hiking, and stargazing.

Arthur's Pass National Park straddles the Southern Alps, offering dramatic mountain landscapes and diverse vegetation zones. The park is known for its hiking trails, wildlife including the kea mountain parrot, and historic transportation route. It features numerous waterfalls and alpine flowers.

Egmont National Park is dominated by the perfect volcanic cone of Mount Taranaki. The park features lush rainforests, waterfalls, and a diverse range of plant life in concentric rings around the volcano. It offers numerous walking and climbing tracks for all skill levels.

Fiordland National Park is New Zealand's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It features dramatic fiords, including the famous Milford Sound, ancient rainforests, and stunning mountain landscapes. The park is home to numerous rare species and contains some of New Zealand's most famous walking tracks.

Kahurangi National Park is New Zealand's second-largest national park, known for its diverse landscapes and biological diversity. The park features ancient rock formations, extensive cave systems, and wild rivers. It includes the famous Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a wilderness of peaks, glaciers, river valleys, and alpine lakes. The park is named after Mount Aspiring/Tititea, one of New Zealand's highest peaks. It offers numerous hiking trails and is popular for mountaineering, hiking, and jet boating.

Nelson Lakes National Park is centered around two alpine lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa, formed by glacial action. The park features beech forests, alpine peaks, and numerous hiking trails. It is popular for camping, fishing, and skiing in winter.

Paparoa National Park is known for its limestone landscapes, including the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Dolomite Point. The park features coastal forest, limestone cliffs, and caves. It offers diverse experiences from coastal walks to caving adventures.

Rakiura National Park covers most of Stewart Island, New Zealand's third-largest island. The park is known for its pristine wilderness, native birds including kiwi, and extensive network of walking tracks. It offers visitors a rare chance to experience unspoiled nature and dark sky viewing.

Te Urewera is a forested region and protected area that was formerly a national park. It is the ancestral home of the Tūhoe people and contains Lake Waikaremoana, one of New Zealand's largest lakes. The area features ancient native forests, rugged mountains, and numerous walking tracks.

Tongariro is New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage site. The park is centered around three active volcanoes: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu. It features the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand's best day hikes, and dramatic volcanic landscapes.

Westland Tai Poutini National Park extends from the highest peaks of the Southern Alps to the Tasman Sea. The park is famous for its glaciers, particularly Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, which are among the most accessible glaciers in the world. The area features a unique combination of ice and temperate rainforest.