DoC has warned Tongariro shuttle operators they risk losing their concessions if found to be 'knowingly and repeatedly' breaching the rules. Photo / Bevan Conley, Supplied
DoC has warned Tongariro shuttle operators they risk losing their concessions if found to be 'knowingly and repeatedly' breaching the rules. Photo / Bevan Conley, Supplied
The Department of Conservation is investigating allegations a Tongariro Alpine Crossing shuttle operator breached rules over the holiday weekend by transporting hundreds of hikers despite hazardous conditions.
At least two rival operators have complained that Tongariro Expeditions ran multiple services to the volcanic plateau crossing last Saturday, despite a DoC-issuedHazardous Weather Advisory issued for the day.
Hazardous Weather Advisories are issued by DoC to protect public safety and prohibit concession holders from operating while they are in force.
DoC told the Herald it is investigating the allegations, and warned operators could lose their concessions if found to have “knowingly and repeatedly” breached the rules.
“It is a condition of Tongariro Alpine Crossing transport operators’ concessions that they must adhere to the official NIWA weather advisories and not operate on days where there is a Hazardous Weather Advisory,” DoC Tongariro operations manager Libby O’Brien said.
“We are currently investigating this particular incident, alongside past behaviour of operators, and will consider the appropriate action against the operator in question.”
A sign advises Tongariro Alpine Crossing visitors when there is a Hazardous Weather Advisory in place.
Tongariro Expeditions declined to comment.
A Hazardous Weather Advisory was in force on Saturday after the forecast met the advisory’s threshold.
“The advisory looks at temperature, wind speed and other weather conditions and informs us when the weather could lead to not only a bad day out for hikers, but also a potentially risky one,” O’Brien said.
Despite this, rival operators allege Tongariro Expeditions ran up to a dozen shuttle trips on Saturday, transporting hundreds of hikers to the crossing while others cancelled services in line with the advisory.
Collin Baker, of Ruapehu Scenic Shuttle said gusts were still reaching around 70km/h by mid-morning, with cloud, drizzle and falling temperatures making conditions “nuts” on the crossing.
“If it’s applied, you don’t go. It’s simple. It’s red is dead,” he said.
Tongariro Expedition allegedly operated several shuttles on the morning of February 7 in breach of concession rules.
Baker said most operators either cancelled services the night before or held off until the 5am weather update, expecting all concession holders to follow the agreed safety protocols.
“Because of the decision of every solitary operator to cancel except for that one operator, they put themselves in what you could call a monopoly position,” Baker said.
With 585 people recorded at the crossing by 9.30am, Baker estimated Tongariro Expeditions transported “280-odd” passengers through Saturday morning, including later drop-offs as conditions deteriorated.
“They just kept on filling their buses right up,” Baker claimed.
Baker said that while cancellations come at a financial cost to operators, the concession rules were clear and safety had to take precedence.
DoC has warned Tongariro shuttle operators they risk losing their concessions if found to be 'knowingly and repeatedly' breaching the rules. Photo / Bevan Conley
“We’ve all got to work to those standards. And to be honest, without these standards, you’re putting the public at risk.”
Another operator, Owhango Adventures, said the incident raised serious concerns about the enforcement of DoC’s concession system and the impact on public safety.
In a statement, the company alleged Tongariro Expeditions had continued operating on hazardous weather days over the past six months.
“Operators are particularly alarmed by the fact that, under these conditions, emergency helicopter access to the crossing may not be possible, leaving injured or exposed hikers without timely rescue options,” Owhango Adventures said.
“In such an environment, any incident could rapidly escalate into a serious injury or fatality.”
O’Brien said the crossing “can be deadly in challenging weather conditions” and that the advisory is an important safety tool to protect visitors from heightened risks.
“Ignoring the advisories increases the risk to visitors and can also make our visitors’ experience in Tongariro National Park confusing,” she said.
DoC had made it clear to shuttle operators they have a “duty of care” to their customers and risk losing their concession if they breach advisory rules, O’Brien said.
“We take these breaches seriously, and we will look to cancel concessions when operators knowingly and repeatedly break the rules.”
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