Tūroa iwi angry at being frozen out of decisions over mountain

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Author: Merewai Durutal, Whakaata Māori
• Publication title: Whanganui Chronicle

The iwi and hapu with ancestral ties to the whenua where the ski field is located are Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Hāua, Ngāti Rangi and Te Korowai o Te Wainuiāru

At one stage Ngāti Tūwharetoa considered buying the company but on looking at its books withdrew and opposed any ski field activity on the maunga.

The iwi all have different concerns but most relate to Treaty settlement discussions over the maunga, which most see as sacred.

Several oppose any use of the mountain though others would allow skiing under environmentally careful conditions. Iwi takes tāngata tiaki role seriously

Potaka said two weeks ago, in an attempt to reassure Māori, that the 10-year concession allowed for outstanding Treaty settlement negotiations to unfold and gave “greater protection to iwi and hapū interests and responsibilities, including the future park negotiations, whilst ensuring the continued operation of the ski-field”.

He also said the concession meant the public could continue to enjoy the recreational benefits available in the Tongariro National Park for years to come.

But the company running a ski operation on the other side of Ruapehu, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, is still in danger of an avalanche because the Government gave it a $7 million handout last month but said it would be the last.

That means its receivers will need to find a buyer, something they have failed to do so far.

The iwi made submissions before the concession was granted and one, Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust (formerly known as Ngāti Rangi Trust) agreed to show Te Ao Māori News its submission.

Trust pou ārihi Helen Leahy says Ngāti Rangi is one of the tāngata whenua of the region and takes seriously its role as tāngata tiaki over the natural world.

Its involvement was required on all consent and concession applications within its rohe, “and in all cases, we wish for early and honest engagement with applicants to ensure meaningful collaboration towards a common goal”.

The iwi has emphasised the importance of its stance since the establishment of the Tūroa skifield in 1978 that was enabled by the Crown through a licence it granted to the then operating company.

Ngāti Rangi says in its submission to the Department of Conservation that it was...