Updated 8 August, 9am NZ time: There was a brief eruption from Mt Tongariro in the central North Island just before midnight on 6 August, New Zealand time.

It is the first eruption from the mountain since 1897.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) is continuing to monitor the situation with the assistance of government scientific advisors. As of 5pm 7 August NZ time MCDEM confirmed that eruption activity had subsided. The volcanic alert level for Mt Tongariro remains at alert level 2.

All major roads in the central North Island are open, as are the two ski fields on Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa and Turoa, which lie south of Mt Tongariro. All domestic flights have resumed, and there continues to be no impact on international flights and flights between main North Island centres of Auckland and Wellington.

For more information check the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) website.

Tourism New Zealand media release.