The Ruapehu District takes its name from its most dominant feature, Mount Ruapehu, the District encompasses some of New Zealand’s most diverse landscapes incorporating the majority of the Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks. The Tongariro National Park is the second oldest National Park in the world and has a World Heritage status. The park also accommodates New Zealand’s largest commercial ski fields, Whakapapa and Turoa, providing a significant visitor attraction and supporting infrastructure. The northern reaches of the Whanganui River also provide a well utilised recreation resource during the summer season. Surrounding this alpine environment are a number of rural towns servicing the backbone industries of the District’s economy, including farming, forestry, horticulture and tourism. These industries support the main employment and development opportunities within the rural towns which provide the various amenity facilities which underpin the operation of business throughout the District.