Mt Tarawera fee rise sparks outrage

By JO-MARIE BROWN

Walking up Mt Tarawera cost $2 two years ago. This week the price soared to $110, leaving climbers and trampers outraged.

Anyone wishing to visit the mountain, which erupted 116 years ago destroying the renowned Pink and White Terraces near Rotorua, must pay the new fee for a guided half-day tour.

The price of walking to the crater summit rose from $2 to $23 in September 2000 when Stephen Collins' company, Mt Tarawera New Zealand Ltd, was awarded the sole lease to the top of the mountain by its Maori owners, Ngati Rangitihi.

Many people were angry at the time, but the latest price rise is seen as denying New Zealanders access altogether.

Mr Collins said the new rules were a result of vandalism, littering, desecration of sacred sites, environmental damage and abuse of staff.

He has refused to comment further but told the Listener magazine in March this year that he considered banning trampers completely when he first took over the lease.

"We looked seriously at that. We didn't want trampers. And our costs are going to be increasing significantly this year."

Mr Collins also said Mt Tarawera was private property and Ngati Rangitihi had every right to make money from theirasset.

"This is the real world. It's user-pays. If a white man had owned the mountain, you would have been paying to go there 150 years ago."

The tourist operator admitted that price rises would be unpopular with locals but said: "The market we are after is not local and international visitors won't have a problem with it."

Mr Collins also attracted unfavourable attention when charges were laid against him last year after four trampers claimed he confronted them in a low-flying helicopter to prevent them from walking down Mt Tarawera without paying.

The 43-year-old, who was acquitted in July, has cited "litigation due to false allegations" as another reason forcharging the new $110 fee.

John Wilson, president of the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand representing 12,000 climbers and trampers, believes Mr Collins' reasons for raising the price were "convenient excuses".

The walk up Mt Tarawera to see the chain of spectacular craters and views of the surrounding Rotorua lakes was a marvellous experience which ordinary New Zealanders could not now afford, he said.

"I'm sure there are people at the top end of the tourism market that will pay that and go ... [but] to me it personally doesn't sound like a good business strategy to just aim for one segment."

In announcing the price rise, Mr Collins said a free open day for Rotorua locals would be held on June 10 each year to commemorate the eruption, and a discounted price of $65 would be charged during Conservation Week every August.

Mr Wilson said Mt Tarawera had always been privately owned but people had, in practical terms, always enjoyed free access.

"Now of course there is no opportunity to walk around and explore by yourself. You've got to go on a guided tour for $110."