February 26, 2024
Iwi keen on skifield rescue role
Central North Island iwi are opposing the granting of a concession to a company seeking to operate the Tūroa skifield.
Pure Tūroa Limited will need a concession from the Department of Conservation if it is to go ahead with its bid to acquire skifield assets from the liquidators of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.
But Aiden Gilbert, the chair of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Trust, says it has an offer on the table of $1 for the Whakapapa and Tūroa ski-fields.
He says they want to open a dialogue, but so far their interests have been ignored by the company and by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, which is managing the process.
“We’ve always been claiming that this is a lack of consultation, a lack of involvement, and a lack of decision-making – which is nothing new for iwi-Māori across the whole motu. So, in terms of this take, it was fitting for us to say – well, let’s try this avenue,” Mr Gilbert says.
He hopes the new Government, especially the new Conservation Minister, Tama Potaka – who is from Taranaki-Whanganui – may have a different view than its predecessor on the long term future of the ski-fields.