The Tongariro Crossing and Northern Circuit is closed today, as a large vegetation fire continues to scorch the area

Crews were called to Tongariro Forest Park after 3pm yesterday.

The blaze is now covering an estimated 1000 hectares and Fire and Emergency New Zealand says there's six trucks, five tankers, six helicopters and two planes working to try put it out.

The Department of Conservation says 43 hikers and a hut warden were airlifted from Mangatepopo Hut yesterday as a precaution.