Outcry over Tarawera tramp price hike

By ELEANOR BLACK

A family in a four-wheel-drive vehicle will pay $115 for a day on Mt Tarawera under new access charges set by Maori owners.

Outraged trampers say the new fees exploit a New Zealand icon, but representatives of Ngati Rangitihi say they are simply benefiting from their asset.

From Friday, the cost of climbing privately owned Mt Tarawera jumps from $2 to $20 for a day pass, while the charge for taking a private vehicle up the mountain rockets from $35 to $57, with an additional $23 for each person in it.

A day pass for a family of two adults and two children travelling by 4WD will cost $115.

The new price regime is the result of a joint venture between Ngati Rangitihi and Steve and Judy Collins, of New Zealand Helicopters, who won the tender to manage the mountain, 17km southeast of Rotorua.

Mr Collins refused to comment on the new fee structure but the Herald understands that of seven concessionaires who have been taking tour groups up the mountain only one besides New Zealand Helicopters retains rights to it.

Federated Mountain Clubs president David Round, representing 12,000 trampers, called the price hike "selfish and short-sighted."

"Once again this seems to be a case where New Zealanders are suffering as tourism operators pursue overseas tourists," he said.

"The mountain is part of the history of all of us and we all have an interest in the question of public access to our own country."

The now-dormant volcano erupted on June 10, 1886, destroying the world-renowned Pink and White Terraces on the shore of Lake Rotomahana.

From its ridge, climbers can get spectacular views over Rotorua's lakes and across to another volcano, White Island.

Dave Patterson, of Mt Tarawera 4WD Tours, has been operating on the mountain for nine years and has been awarded a further 12 months' access.

After that he will have to find another way of making a living.

He says he has been paying the Mt Tarawera Trust, formed in 1992, $25,000 in access fees annually and has about $400,000 tied up in his business.

To keep up with the fees he has raised his ticket price from $70 for a 4 1/2-hour tour to $110.

While disappointed at being "shut off" the mountain, Mr Patterson believes the new management will benefit Ngati Rangitihi.

"They're not a wealthy tribe.

"It's a wonderful spot and people just have to be prepared to pay to get on to some areas now."

Mt Tarawera Trust chairman Leith Comer said the mountain was private property and as such could be used commercially.