Drones are prohibited in Tongariro ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Park and the operator ignored ‘no drone’ signs situated in the park.
Footage from the drone reviewed by DOC staff showed the drone flew near Mt Ngauruhoe and close to Emerald Lakes on Mt Tongariro.
The drone also passed over dozens of hikers who threw stones at it shortly before it crash-landed.
A DOC ranger located the drone near Emerald Lakes and waited for the operator, however, nobody came forward.
The following day the drone operator inquired at the Whakapapa Visitor Centre before leaving the country.
Tongariro Operations Manager Connie Norgate says there are good reasons drones are not allowed within the Tongariro ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Park.
“With helicopter operations taking place almost daily, drone use puts these aircraft and their pilots at risk.
“This incident also shows how they disturb other people’s privacy and quiet enjoyment of the outdoors”.
People seeing drones in Tongariro ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Park are urged to report them to Tongariro ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Park Visitor Centre:
