Tongariro National Park is a landmark in Ruapehu District, Manawatū-Whanganui (central North Island), New Zealand, and a filming location for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Willow (1988) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016). Built in 1894 (established as New Zealand's first national park), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is owned by The Crown (New Zealand).
Location: Ruapehu District, Manawatū-Whanganui (central North Island), New Zealand
Verified facts
- Located in Ruapehu District, Manawatū-Whanganui (central North Island)
confidence 80/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-10723, SRC-10716, SRC-12951, SRC-13268 - Appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (movie, 2001)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10723, SRC-10716, SRC-11110 - Built in 1894 (established as New Zealand's first national park)
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10723, SRC-11110, SRC-11908 - Historic designation: UNESCO World Heritage Site (natural values, 1990; cultural landscape, 1993)
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10723, SRC-11338, SRC-11909 - Owned by The Crown (New Zealand) (1887–present)
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10723, SRC-12136, SRC-12697 - Appeared in Willow (movie, 1988)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10723, SRC-11972, SRC-12698 - Appeared in Hunt for the Wilderpeople (movie, 2016)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10723, SRC-11973, SRC-12699
Evidence & sources
- SRC-10716 — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/unesco-world-heritage-sites-filming-locations (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-10723 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongariro_National_Park (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11110 — Department of Conservation (NZ) — History of Tongariro National Park (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11338 — https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/tong (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11908 — Love Taupo (Official Taupo Website) – Tongariro National Park (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11909 — International Parks – Tongariro, New Zealand (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11972 — https://www.atlasofwonders.com/2022/06/where-was-willow-1988-filmed-castle-location.html (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11973 — https://jayatravel.com/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople-film-locations/ (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12136 — https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central-north-island/places/tong (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12697 — NZ Herald – Tongariro National Park: the gift that wasn't (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12698 — Screen Rant – Where Was Willow Filmed: All Locations (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12699 — The Cinemaholic – Hunt for the Wilderpeople Filming Locations (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12951 — Wikidata — Tongariro National Park (Q202845) (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-13268 — Department of Conservation (NZ) — Tongariro National Park Management Plan 2006-2016 (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Hunt for the Wilderpeople filmed?
Tongariro National Park, in Ruapehu District, Manawatū-Whanganui (central North Island), is a real-world filming location used for Hunt for the Wilderpeople. This property has also appeared on screen in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Willow.
Where was The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring filmed?
Tongariro National Park, in Ruapehu District, Manawatū-Whanganui (central North Island), is a real-world filming location used for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. This property has also appeared on screen in Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Willow.
Where was Willow filmed?
Tongariro National Park, in Ruapehu District, Manawatū-Whanganui (central North Island), is a real-world filming location used for Willow. This property has also appeared on screen in Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Where is Tongariro National Park located?
Tongariro National Park is located in Ruapehu District, Manawatū-Whanganui (central North Island).