A business owner says Tongariro National Park, on New Zealand's North Island, resembles a hellscape as a massive forest fire continues to burn out of control.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said the blaze has swelled in size and is now estimated to be covering about 1000ha.

Dozens of hikers have been evacuated from the park, and the public is asked to stay away from the area. Loading Instagram content

Skotel Alpine Resort owner Sam Clarkson said the resort had a grandstand view of the fire on Saturday night.

"It was like a hellscape — welcome to Mordor — it really was," he said.

"Last night, there was quite a brisk westerly wind, which pushed the fire both east and northwards and the wall of flame was enormous … I would estimate some of those flames are 30 metres high.

"It

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