A marae leader who lives near Mount Tongariro says the recent seismic activity there is nothing to worry about - he says it's just his ancestor grumbling.
An extra four seismic recorders have been set up on Tongariro after a cluster of volcanic earthquakes prompted GNS Science to raise alert levels last week.
More than 20 shakes have been recorded since the middle of July by 10 seismographs on the volcano, and volcanic gas levels have increased.
GNS Science says while it will continue to monitor the volcano, there is no threat to public safety.
The chairperson of Otukou Marae, Te Ngaehe Wanikau, isn't fazed by the activity.
Hei tāna kāre he raru nā te mea, he ōrite te ngākau o te maunga ki te rangatira, ka noho pai ia i ētahi wā, i ētahi atu ka āhua pukukino.
In te reo, Mr Wanikau, says he's not worried by the activity because Tongariro is just like someone's koroua or grandfather: - he's sometimes content and other times he's grumpy.
