Useful Information
Whether you're resident in the Ruapehu Distrcit or just visiting, this is the basic information you need to know.
Emergency Services
The emergency number in New Zealand is 111. Call this number free if you need the police, ambulance or fire services.
Information Centres: Taumarunui and Ohakune 0800 647 483, Whakapapa Village 07 8923729
Useful Information
Medical services
The Whanganui District Health Board is responsible for a medical provider in Ohakune. For full information on health services in the area visit www.wdhb.org.nz
The regional hospital is in Wanganui:
Wanganui Hospital
Contact: (06) 348 1234; 100 Heads Road, Gonville, Wanganui
Ohakune’s doctors:
Ruapehu Health (10km from Ohakune)
38 Seddon Street, Raetihi 4632
Phone 06-385 4211
Taumarunui Hospital: 07 896 0200
Taumarunui Health:
58 Miriama Street, Taumarunui 3920
Phone: 07 895 3077
Ngati Rangi Community Health Centre
Contact: (06) 385 9580; 36 Burns Street, Ohakune
Ohakune Dental Centre
Contact: (06) 385 9202; 16 Goldfinch Street, Ohakune
Ohakune Pharmacy
Contact: (06) 385 8304; 21 Goldfinch Street, Ohakune
Monday - Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 10am - midday
Taumarunui Pharmacy
Contact: (07) 895 7326; 93 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui
Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm
Saturday: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Health Shuttle service in Waimarino
The St John Health Shuttle is a free community service that transports people to essential
medical and health-related appointments and then brings them home again. There’s no charge for shuttle transport, however, a donation is appreciated to cover costs. To book transport on the St John Waimarino Health Shuttle contact 0800 266 547
Auto & Breakdown Services
Ohakune Tyre & Energy Centre
Contact: (06) 385 9104; 74 Clyde Street, Ohakune
Horopito Motors
Contact: (06) 385 4151; 40 Matapuna Road, Horopito
Ruapehu Motor Group
Contact: (06) 385 4216; Seddon Street, Raetihi
Taumarunui Auto Centre LTD
Contact: (07) 895 7493; 109 Bell Road, Taumarunui 3920
Gillard Motors Limited
Contact (07) 895 8169; 5 Katarina Street, Taumarunui
Visitor Information
Department of Conservation (DOC)
DOC is the government body responsible for administering and many of New Zealand’s ecologically, biologically and culturally sensitive area including national parks, archaeological sites, hunting and fishing grounds and much more.
The DOC Ruapehu Area Office is in Whakapapa Village, to the north-west of Mount Ruapehu.
Amongst other things, DOC offices can provide:
• Excellent information on tracks and trails throughout the region
• Hunting and fishing permits and information on regulations
• Information on a wide range of events and activities taking place on DOC managed land
• Up to date weather information and condition reports for the mountain
• Information on the local flora and fauna including details of conservation projects and volunteering opportunities
For more information contact the local offices:
Ruapehu Area Office
The DOC Area Office is located in Whakapapa Village, State Highway 48.
Phone: 07 892 3729
Email: tongariro@doc.govt.nz
Ruapehu i-Site Visitor Information Centre
The local i-Site centre is here to help you make the most of your stay. The i-Site can provide information on:
• Accommodation – both local and national to help you plan ahead for the next part of your trip
• Activities in the region from short walks to jet boating to horse trekking and much more
• Local and national transport to help you get to where you are going
The isite can also make bookings on your behalf for all of the above. For more information contact the office.
Phone: 0800 647483
Radio
Ohakune’s local radio station is Peak FM 95.8.
Newspaper
The Ruapehu Bulletin is the local Ohakune paper and is published weekly on a Wednesday.
The Taumarunui Bulletin is the local Taumarunui paper and is published weekly on a Friday.
Geology
The formation of volcanic mountains in the Tongariro National Park began over two million years ago. Mount Ruapehu is a stratovolcano, a conical mountain formed from composite layers of volcanic debris, whose origins can be traced to at least 250,000 years ago.
Ruapehu experiences a major eruption around once every 50 years, with smaller eruptions occurring approximately every 10 years. The most recent eruption was 2007 in the form of a hydrothermal eruption, however the lahar warning system (ERLAWS - Eastern Ruapehu Lahar Alarm and Warning System) that was installed in 2000 proved to be highly effective in alerting the authorities and allowing emergency measures to be implemented.
The during 1995-96 two separate major eruption cycles caused ash and volcanic debris to cover the mountain, resulting in the temporary closure of the ski fields, a major blow to the local economy.
Ruapehu is now the most closely monitored volcano in New Zealand with a highly sophisticated lahar early warning system, two web cameras constantly watching the north-western and north-eastern flanks, 10 seismographs and 6 microphones to detect volcanic explosions, 8 global positioning systems that record even the slightest shift in the landscape and a chemical and gas monitoring programme carried out regularly by scientists.
He is indeed a fierce mountain and residents can give testimony to his unpredictable might, but approach the mountain with respect and caution and you will be rewarded with a fascinating and awesome experience.
The GP's are not open on the weekends, and there is no accident or medical service nearby. We recommend that you bring a first aid kit, your own medications and some basic items like paracetamol and plasters.
In an emergency, call 111 for an ambulance. If it is not an emergency (or you are not sure), call Healthline on 0800 611 116.