Ruapehu mayor warns regional economies fighting for future

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton has urged the Government to set up a special taskforce to lead discussions on saving the Chateau Tongariro Hotel. Photo / LDR

A rural mayor says successful and resilient regions are the key to a wealthier New Zealand but urgently need Government support to get through tough economic times.

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton says regional industries like agriculture, horticulture, forestry and tourism are the backbone of the export economy and are crucial to the nation’s prosperity.

But he said communities in regional New Zealand are fighting for their future. He is urging the Government to step in.

“Without necessary changes and support, regions will continue to face shrinking jobs and incomes, declining populations and eroding services, from healthcare to education – to the detriment of the entire country.”

Kirton said core industries that had sustained the country for generations were being eroded.

“Without strategic intervention, this ripple effect will be felt not just in Ruapehu but across the motu.”

Last month’s closure of the district’s biggest employer, Winstone Pulp International, with the loss of 230 jobs, had added to a series of economic blows in recent years.

“These include the uncertain future of our winter ski industry, the closure of the iconic Chateau Tongariro Hotel, and the uncontrolled conversion of farmland into carbon farms, further threatening the viability of rural communities.”

Kirton said similar pressures were being felt in rural communities across the country. He urged urban New Zealanders to recognise the far-reaching consequences of regional struggles.

“Anyone in the city asking, ‘What has this got to do with me?’ should be asking instead, ‘Why can’t we afford new hospitals, schools, roads, housing and essential services?’

“The answer lies in the fact that New Zealand must grow its wealth through exports, investment and infrastructure development, which starts in the regions.

“The prime minister recently stated that New Zealand needs to become wealthier by boosting exports, attracting investment and building critical infrastructure.

“Ruapehu, with its core industries of agriculture, horticulture, forestry and tourism, represents the sectors that can drive this growth.”

Kirton said with the right support from the Government, regional New Zealand could set a course for growth and resilience.

“Ruapehu has fertile farmland, stunning scenery, skilled people, and abundant resources. [Ruapehu District] Council is urging the Government to help us leverage these assets to build a diverse, resilient economy.”

The council was seeking government funding to complete its cycle trail network, projected to generate up to $60 million annually, and legislative support to reopen the Chateau and protect productive farmland, Kirton said.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air