Photo: Unsplash / Matthew Buchanan
Whakapapa ski field has joined Turoa in moving out of the hands of the receivers with a 10-year concession being granted by the Department of Conservation to the operator Whakapapa Holdings.
Both ski areas on Mount Ruapehu had faced an uncertain future when the operator, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts went into voluntary administration in 2022.
The decision is being welcomed in the region, that has been hit hard economically with the close of two local wood and pulp mills.
The government has provided nearly $50 million to keep the field functioning to support jobs and businesses.
DOC has acknowledged how important the area is to all New Zealanders, especially the iwi and hapū who whakapapa to the maunga and said it will monitor the ski field to ensure it was running smoothly.
Kathryn speaks to Whakapapa Holdings Shareholder Director and CEO Dave Mazey who was the former head of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.
