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Project Tongariro
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Alternative TitleTongariro Natural History Society
Period Active1984 - currentDescription The Tongariro Natural History Society (TNHS) was born out of tragedy following the untimely deaths of five people in a helicopter accident on Mt Ruapehu, near Turoa Skifield, on 9 December 1982.
All on board died after the pilot became disoriented while flying at night testing lights for night flying and for search and rescue operations. Those in the helicopter were:
Keith Blumhardt - Ranger Whakapapa
Bill Cooper Senior - Ranger Ohakune
Doug McKenzie - Pilot
Derek White - Ranger Whakapapa
Marie Williams - Park Assistant
The close-knit mountain community was stunned by the loss of life which all these years later, still remains the most significant accident involving park staff. A memorial service was held at The Chateau and people gathered from many parts of New Zealand to pay tribute to the personal qualities of these outstanding individuals, share memories and to grieve. In the weeks and months that followed the idea of some kind of memorial to those who had lost their lives was discussed, and money was donated for this purpose.
In an inspired move, Bruce Jefferies, who was the chief ranger of Tongariro National Park, Roy Lynch, a long time mentor for many park staff (who later became the society’s inaugural president), and a number of colleagues and friends of the deceased came together and, from a series of discussions, suggested that a natural history society be established. The main idea was to establish a cooperative network of people who loved the national park and were prepared to work alongside park staff, particularly in park interpretation and conservation education. Societies with similar objectives to the TNHS and associated with a particular national park are common in America, and it was this concept that fired the imagination of people from many different walks of life.
In July 1984, when the society was formally founded, it became the living memorial to the night fliers.
Project Tongariro now facilitates several projects in and around Tongariro National Park and the wider region including the flagship projects Rotopounamu, Te Matapuna Wetland and Orutua Recreation Reserve Restoration as well as facilitating other community conservation projects like Greening Taupo, Kids Greening Taupo and Predator Free Taupo. Project Tongariro is a key supporter of this Ranger History project.
Period Active1984 - currentDescription The Tongariro Natural History Society (TNHS) was born out of tragedy following the untimely deaths of five people in a helicopter accident on Mt Ruapehu, near Turoa Skifield, on 9 December 1982.All on board died after the pilot became disoriented while flying at night testing lights for night flying and for search and rescue operations. Those in the helicopter were:
Keith Blumhardt - Ranger Whakapapa
Bill Cooper Senior - Ranger Ohakune
Doug McKenzie - Pilot
Derek White - Ranger Whakapapa
Marie Williams - Park Assistant
The close-knit mountain community was stunned by the loss of life which all these years later, still remains the most significant accident involving park staff. A memorial service was held at The Chateau and people gathered from many parts of New Zealand to pay tribute to the personal qualities of these outstanding individuals, share memories and to grieve. In the weeks and months that followed the idea of some kind of memorial to those who had lost their lives was discussed, and money was donated for this purpose.
In an inspired move, Bruce Jefferies, who was the chief ranger of Tongariro National Park, Roy Lynch, a long time mentor for many park staff (who later became the society’s inaugural president), and a number of colleagues and friends of the deceased came together and, from a series of discussions, suggested that a natural history society be established. The main idea was to establish a cooperative network of people who loved the national park and were prepared to work alongside park staff, particularly in park interpretation and conservation education. Societies with similar objectives to the TNHS and associated with a particular national park are common in America, and it was this concept that fired the imagination of people from many different walks of life.
In July 1984, when the society was formally founded, it became the living memorial to the night fliers.
Project Tongariro now facilitates several projects in and around Tongariro National Park and the wider region including the flagship projects Rotopounamu, Te Matapuna Wetland and Orutua Recreation Reserve Restoration as well as facilitating other community conservation projects like Greening Taupo, Kids Greening Taupo and Predator Free Taupo. Project Tongariro is a key supporter of this Ranger History project.
!["Our Conservation Journey": Back to Tongariro National Park 1979-1986](/img/placeholder.gif?1772743620 ""Our Conservation Journey": Back to Tongariro National Park 1979-1986")
Links
PersonKeith BlumhardtRoy LynchDerek WhiteDoug McKenzieMarie WilliamsBill CooperBruce JefferiesNZ National ParkTongariro National ParkLand DistrictWellington Land District (inc Chatham Is)External LinkProject Tongariro website
Roy LynchDerek WhiteDoug McKenzieMarie WilliamsBill CooperBruce JefferiesNZ National ParkTongariro National ParkLand DistrictWellington Land District (inc Chatham Is)External LinkProject Tongariro websiteProject Tongariro. National Parks and Reserves Rangers Archive, accessed 21/03/2026, https://parkrangersnz.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/1352