Skiing at Mt Hutt in Canterbury opened at the weekend. Photo / Nicole Hawke
Skiing at Mt Hutt in Canterbury opened at the weekend. Photo / Nicole Hawke
The future of the Ruapehu Ski Fields looks brighter after Cabinet has agreed to support bids from Whakapapa Holdings Limited and Pure Tūroa Limited to take over the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts operations.
Four bidders had been vying for the contracts, and it is understood the mountain would besplit into two ski fields and run separately.
Cabinet has also agreed that Kānoa, the Department of Conservation, and Te Arawhiti will work closely with iwi and hapū to ensure their interests and relationships with Ruapehu are addressed and they are comfortable with the process and outcome.
Minister of Regional Development Kiri Allan said the Government’s focus has been on ensuring jobs in the region will be secured.
The approval was “for those in the broader Ruapehu region to enable the ski season to go ahead this year, while also ensuring that the deals reached are the best possible for the region”, she said.
As part of the agreement, the Government will write off previous debts owed to Kānoa and the Department of Conservation, including contingency for the removal of redundant infrastructure.
There will also be an assurance that the historical “make good” obligations will be fulfilled.
Both Whakapapa Holdings and Pure Turoa will offer future benefits for life-pass holders.
