By PAULA OLIVER
The battle over the Turoa skifield has been joined by a group of Maori who want the Government to buy the resort's assets so they can be used to satisfy pending land claims.
The skifield was put up for sale after going into receivership in March following three bad seasons.
Since then an offer from Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) has been the subject of Commerce Commission scrutiny.
The commission at first turned down RAL's application on the grounds that it would give it, the present operator of Whakapapa, a monopoly over the North Island ski market.
RAL argues in a second application, which has attracted 257 submissions, that skiing is a national market and it therefore competes with South Island skifields.
But the Ngati Rangi Trust opposes the sale.
It claims the assets should be available as compensation under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Such a move, it says, would stimulate Maori social, economic and cultural development and show a commitment by the Crown to closing the gaps, its submission claims.
Also opposing the application is Turoa Assets Ltd (TAL), a group keen to buy the skifield with the help of Sir Andrew Grimwade. Sir Andrew is an Australian-based director of Turoa Ski Resort, owners of the skifield when it went into receivership.
Turoa Assets' submission suggests that a purchase by RAL would create a monopoly, raising fears that it would then take on an aggressive role and possibly raise prices.
Sir Andrew was willing to put up considerable personal assets to help secure the skifield, TAL's submission said.
But the vast number of submissions support RAL's application, with many claiming that poor snow seasons prove Mt Ruapehu cannot support two competing operators.
"It appears that in the course of trying to protect consumers from a monopoly, you are instead protecting us from much needed improved facilities for North Island skiers," says one submission from a recreational skier.
Several from the Ohakune region say they fear the town will die unless a single operator looks after both skifields, giving combined financial weight for marketing and investment.
The submissions will be discussed at a two-day conference in Wellington next week.
The commission will make a decision on November 7.
Maori trust wants Turoa assets as compensation under treaty
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