Grey dust blankets the road. Nearby bushes and trees are coated in a sprinkling of ash. The smell of sulphur hangs in the air.
It's the morning after Mt Tongariro woke for the first time in a century.
At 11.50pm on Monday the mountains Te Mari Craters shook into life with a roar throwing red hot rocks and ash into the air and causing nearby locals to flee.
Wayne McMahon was one of those trying to escape the eruption.
Mr McMahon, who lives on the slopes of Mt Tongariro and was evacuated from his home last night, said he could barely see anything when he was driving to Turangi to escape the eruption.
He said it was very scary because there was almost zero visibility and animals were coming down from the mountain across the road.
Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper said it was lucky the eruption happened during the middle on the night.
"Luckily no one was hurt."
He described the mountain as a "beautiful lady" and said this eruption was "just a hiccup".
"She has done this before. Everyone is quite relaxed about it all ... We can't do much about it, we are after all dealing with mother nature."
A Taupo resident who only wanted to be known as Sally said the incident provided some excitement to her morning.
"I'm glad it wasn't anything major, but it has given everyone something to talk about," she said.
"I don't think people here are too worried about it, I suppose you have to be aware these things might happen."
Mt Tongariro eruption 'scary' says local
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