"We have heard of people being scared and cancelling the [holiday] park. They've been cancelling their rooms saying they don't want to come to the mountain."
Ruapehu District mayor Don Cameron said some easily forget the mountain is "a living being".
"We do live in a special place, but it does have its slight downside in that it could, at any time, tell us who's the boss."
And the boss it is. As Cameron chats under blue skies, Mt Ruapehu seems to be demanding that all the clouds encircle it.
Cameron said Ruapehu Civil Defence officials spent part of the week working on a plan for a possible eruption.
Mt Ruapehu eruption in 1996. Photo / File
He said the Whakaari/ White Island eruption in 2019 shook many people in Civil Defence teams. However, his district is well-prepared thanks to previous eruptions.
He holds firm that no locals or visitors to the region would be in any imminent danger if an eruption did occur.
"No matter what happens it is highly unlikely any of the towns are going to be affected in any way at all.
"It's a geological wonder that people come to see, especially when it's erupting. If you do come here, you know you are going to be safe because if anything does happen you will be told to move - but again that is highly, highly unlikely."
The thought visitors might choose to stay away due to the heightened activity is keeping Colin Baker up at night, as he contemplates another tough winter season ahead.
Baker, who owns Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles, said he needed this season to go well after lockdown last year hit right in his peak period.
"Since the alert level was raised, people don't want to do the Tongariro Crossing.
"But it's like moths to a flame. People will probably still come. But I think they won't be planning so far in advance."
Baker has seen all of the eruptions since 1995, the first of which happened shortly after he moved to the region.
"The dust is something I always remember from the 1996 eruption. But the eruptions are small and they don't really affect us."
Local Dean Corrigan was working for the Department of Conservation at the time Mt Ruapehu erupted in 2007, spewing a lahar down to the Whangaehu River.
"Safety wise, it's life isn't it? We don't know what's going to happen in five seconds' time. So if it's going to do something let's hope it's a clear day with a front row seat for what our friend out there is going to do."
