Mt. Ngauruhoe is New Zealand's newest and historically most active volcano.
Mt Ngauruhoe has been active for at least 2,500 years. It has produced more than 70 eruptive episodes since 1839.
There have been no eruptions since 19th February 1975 and the temperature of fumaroles in the crater floor has steadily cooled since 1979, suggesting that the main vent is becoming blocked.
In Maori legend, the high priest, Ngatoroirangi was caught in a blizzard while climbing Mount Ngauruhoe.
He prayed to his sisters in Hawaiki to send him fire to save him from freezing. The flames they sent south emerged first at White Island, then Rotorua and Taupo before finally bursting at Ngatoroirangi's feet.
Thus Ngatoroirangi is credited with bringing volcanic activity to Aotearoa New Zealand - not as a curse upon the land, but as a blessing.