Latest news with #WestonKirton
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
'It's all go, everyone's really buzzing' on Mt Ruapehu
October at Whakapapa ski field, Mt Ruapehu, 2023. Photo: Supplied/ Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ruapehu's mayor is happy with how this years ski season is shaping up, under new operators . Whakapapapa Holdings now manages Whakapapa ski field on Mount Ruapehu while Pure Tūroa manages Tūora field. Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) which oversaw both ski fields, went into insolvency in 2022. Mayor Weston Kirton said while the start of the 2025 season was slow due to low snowfall, things are looking better now. "June was a bit spasmodic but kicked in a bit more with July. So from my understanding is that they're good to go, they've got enough snow to allow people to go up there and enjoy both at the beginning level, if not in the intermediate level. "I think it's all go, everyone's really buzzing, everyone's excited and both sides of the mountain with new ownership, but they got new ideas and I think they've had a huge number of people over the school holidays for example, both visiting and also skiing. "So from the point of view of ski season, we're off to a pretty good start," Kirton said. The Delta Chair is likely to open on Saturday, and Tūora ski field is also opening its upper mountain facilities. Kirton also reflected on the journey to secure government funding that enabled the continued operation of both Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields following the collapse of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL). "The snow industry is critical to our economy and regional tourism. It's fantastic to see Whakapapa and Tūroa up and running again, but we must keep building on this success." Kirton said he was hopeful for a few more snowfalls to help extend the season and encouraged people to visit the maunga [mountain] and enjoy all the experiences Ruapehu has to offer - on and off the slopes. He also stressed the need to keep building on the economic momentum generated by the ski areas. "Council is committed to working with government and others to complete our cycle and hiking trail networks which are turning Ruapehu into a true year-round destination while providing much-needed economic resilience." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
25-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Ruapehu Snow Economy Back In Action
Press Release – Ruapehu District Council The snow industry is critical to our economy and regional tourism, said Mayor Kirton. Its fantastic to see Whakapapa and Troa up and running again, but we must keep building on this success. Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton has joined Peak FM host Jesse Archer for a live broadcast from the Top of the Bruce at Whakapapa ski field to celebrate the local snow industry and the importance of economic development in the region. Mayor Kirton reflected on the journey to secure government funding that enabled the continued operation of both Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields following the collapse of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL). 'The snow industry is critical to our economy and regional tourism,' said Mayor Kirton. 'It's fantastic to see Whakapapa and Tūroa up and running again, but we must keep building on this success.' Mayor Kirton said he was hopeful for a few more snowfalls to help extend the season and encouraged people to visit the maunga and enjoy all the experiences Ruapehu has to offer – on and off the slopes. He also stressed the need to keep building on the economic momentum generated by the ski areas. 'Council is committed to working with government and others to complete our cycle and hiking trail networks which are turning Ruapehu into a true year-round destination while providing much-needed economic resilience.' Mayor Kirton also reminded listeners to sign the petition calling on government support to restore the iconic Chateau Tongariro Hotel. 'If you haven't signed our online Parliamentary Petition please do so and help restore this iconic building to its former glory as both a heritage treasure and major contributor to the regional economy. The survey can be found on Council's website Whakapapa chief executive Travis Donoghue also joined the show, saying he felt 'beyond stoked' to see the ski field its stride after a few years of uncertainty. 'Around 300,000 people visit Whakapapa every year, and they're not just coming for the snow – they're also exploring the whole region. That's great news for local businesses.' Mr Donoghue said the school holidays had been a major success, with around 30,000 people enjoying snow play, skiing, sightseeing on the Sky Waka gondola, and even taking their first steps in the alpine environment. This weekend we're looking forward to opening* the Delta Chair and with fine weather forecast it's shaping up to be a fantastic few days on the maunga.' *NOTE: Turoa ski field is also opening up its upper mountain facilities this weekend.
Scoop
24-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Ruapehu Snow Economy Back In Action
Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton has joined Peak FM host Jesse Archer for a live broadcast from the Top of the Bruce at Whakapapa ski field to celebrate the local snow industry and the importance of economic development in the region. Mayor Kirton reflected on the journey to secure government funding that enabled the continued operation of both Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields following the collapse of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL). 'The snow industry is critical to our economy and regional tourism,' said Mayor Kirton. 'It's fantastic to see Whakapapa and Tūroa up and running again, but we must keep building on this success.' Mayor Kirton said he was hopeful for a few more snowfalls to help extend the season and encouraged people to visit the maunga and enjoy all the experiences Ruapehu has to offer – on and off the slopes. He also stressed the need to keep building on the economic momentum generated by the ski areas. 'Council is committed to working with government and others to complete our cycle and hiking trail networks which are turning Ruapehu into a true year-round destination while providing much-needed economic resilience.' Mayor Kirton also reminded listeners to sign the petition calling on government support to restore the iconic Chateau Tongariro Hotel. 'If you haven't signed our online Parliamentary Petition please do so and help restore this iconic building to its former glory as both a heritage treasure and major contributor to the regional economy. The survey can be found on Council's website Whakapapa chief executive Travis Donoghue also joined the show, saying he felt 'beyond stoked' to see the ski field its stride after a few years of uncertainty. 'Around 300,000 people visit Whakapapa every year, and they're not just coming for the snow - they're also exploring the whole region. That's great news for local businesses.' Mr Donoghue said the school holidays had been a major success, with around 30,000 people enjoying snow play, skiing, sightseeing on the Sky Waka gondola, and even taking their first steps in the alpine environment. This weekend we're looking forward to opening* the Delta Chair and with fine weather forecast it's shaping up to be a fantastic few days on the maunga.'
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
‘Not Just About Cost': Why Ruapehu Voted Against Bigger Water Model
Ruapehu councillors are standing by a decision to reject a multi-council water services body that officials say would save their community $40 million. Government water reforms are driving proposals for smaller councils to meet future costs by amalgamating water services. Mayor Weston Kirton's bid to team up with Palmerston North, Horowhenua and Rangitīkei councils was lost 6-4 on Wednesday. Councillors opted instead for a two-council model with Whanganui District Council, which is to decide its approach on Tuesday. 'I have no qualms or ifs or buts,' deputy mayor Viv Hoeta said. 'I heard exactly what my community wanted. It was not just about cost, it was also about local voice and relationships with a council we know and trust and share the same values with.' Hoeta said community feedback called for a standalone water entity – 'and if we couldn't go it alone, they didn't want to go big.' The council's acting team leader of policy, strategy and sustainability told councillors larger groupings were the most affordable options because of additional scale. Aggregated water services with up to four neighbouring local authorities were projected to save users $38.7m through cost efficiencies in the first seven years when compared with the two-council model, Todd Livingstone said. Councillor Lyn Neeson, who is standing against Kirton for the mayoralty in October, lives rurally. She is not connected to reticulated water and therefore does not pay council water charges. 'I've invested $50,000 to get my water systems – rural people and small communities have to do that.' She did not believe cost savings would be as high as projected. 'I will be fighting really hard to ensure higher costs don't happen.' Neeson said savings expected from procurement bargaining could be achieved through collective council buying power regardless of whether Ruapehu was part of a larger Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO). 'A two-council CCO fully intends to make those procurement connections. It doesn't close down any of the opportunities for cost efficiencies.' She said being a 50% partner in a smaller CCO was more palatable for the community and she was proud of the debate and its outcome. 'This was democracy in action. It was a fundamental, directional shift from chasing potential savings to listening to our community, following the awa, following the community of interest, and following our relationships to Whanganui.' Fiona Kahukura Hadley-Chase, who is also running for mayor, said pricing alone was not reason enough to choose a bigger entity. More important was a strong relationship with a council that was bound by obligations to Te Waiū-o-te-Ika and Te Awa Tupua (the catchments of the Whangaehu and Whanganui rivers) as well as agreements with each other. Her vote against the proposed four-council grouping was based on 'the weight of public opinion', including from iwi leaders. 'I would rather wager on creating and keeping good relationships with people who are interested in the Whanganui River and its tributaries and people.' Rabbit Nottage said two-thirds of the council voted against the four-council proposal, including the three Māori ward councillors. 'I was comforted by that. They are the voice of Māori and iwi.' Nottage said his decision took into account all submissions because there were concerns that consultation questions were skewed toward the four-council option. 'In my opinion we made the best decision for the Ruapehu community. If people think otherwise, the elections are coming up in a few months.' Councillors Korty Wilson and Channey Iwikau also voted against a four-council entity. In a report to the council, an analysis of submissions during consultation showed 36 supported a larger water entity if it helped reduce long-term costs, with 16 opposed and eight undecided. Mayor Weston Kirton said he was 'pretty gutted' at losing the vote. 'I thought we'd be able to get a bigger entity over the line, based on evidence that the bigger the number of councils, the greater the efficiency gains and flow-on benefits for pricing. 'The rationale of elected members suggesting that relationships not pricing is more important is foolish if not irresponsible.' Kirton said the district's affiliation with the awa would not be compromised by a four- or five-council model. Te Awa Tupua legislation would remain a cornerstone for council values. 'The relationship would continue regardless and probably get stronger.' Kirton said price did matter, particularly for water users and ratepayers who were struggling, including pensioners and people on benefits. In his report to the council, Livingstone said the difference between the two-council and four-council models in the first year was $4m, with savings of $14.5m across the first three years of a new entity, and $38.7m across the first seven years through till the end of the Long-Term Plan (LTP). A five-council model would see costs in 2027 of $1488 per water connection. 'The four-council model is 8% more expensive ($123 increase) in the first year, while the two-council model is 67% more expensive ($996 increase), with standalone being nearly three times as expensive ($2589 increase),' Livingstone said.
Scoop
19-06-2025
- Scoop
Matariki Celebrated With Opening Of New Te Hangāruru Cycle Trail
Ruapehu has marked Matariki by celebrating the opening of a spectacular new section of its cycle trail network – the first stage of Te Hangāruru, part of the Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride. Starting near the iconic Smash Palace car wreckers in Horopito, the 9km southern section of Te Hangāruru links with the popular Old Coach Road trail, which in turn connects to the 11.4km Te Ara Mangawhero trail running between Ōhakune and Tūroa skifield. Winding through regenerating native bush, past waterfalls and historic tramways, and toward the site of the future Pōkākā alpine ecosanctuary, Te Hangāruru offers a breathtaking ride that adds to the story-rich Mountains to Sea network. The full trail spans dual World Heritage landscapes, alpine streams, volcanic plateaus, native forest, historic viaducts, and the Whanganui River. Over 50 excited riders of all ages waited patiently for the opening ceremony to conclude before setting off to be the first to experience the new trail section. Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton said the opening of Te Hangāruru marked a major milestone in Council's vision for a world-class eco-tourism network of cycling and hiking trails. 'Te Hangāruru is a vital addition to our visitor offering and a boost for the local economy,' said Mayor Kirton. 'It strengthens Ruapehu's growing reputation as a destination for nature-based adventure and cultural experiences. 'While today is a celebration, we're also looking ahead. Completing the full Mountains to Sea journey is essential to unlock the full economic, cultural, and social benefits this network promises. With over 56,000 journeys already being made each year between Ōhakune and Whanganui, we're eager to continue working with Government, Whanganui District Council, our iwi partners, and others to bring the full vision to life.' The development of Te Hangāruru further strengthens Ruapehu's position as a hub for sustainable tourism, offering visitors connected experiences across some of Aotearoa's most unique and awe-inspiring landscapes.
