Government Ignores Iwi and Stakeholders in Rush to Push Through Whakapapa Deal
- Save Mt Ruapehu
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
The Department of Conservation’s (DOC) contentious decision to grant the Whakapapa Ski Area concession to Whakapapa Holdings (WHL) has sparked fierce opposition from iwi putting the long-term future of Mt Ruapehu skiing at risk and blatantly ignoring Treaty obligations.
This latest decision was made despite very recent clear and formal opposition from iwi and hapū, including:
A recent letter from Ariki Sir Tumu Te Heuheu the paramount chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, explicitly opposing the concession and outlining serious concerns for Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/29/paramount-chief-seeks-govt-retreat-from- ruapehu-management/
Legal counsel for iwi has also detailed multiple breaches of the Crown's statutory and Treaty obligations to DOC, advising that they will take these matters before the courts.
Disturbingly, this concession also proceeds against key advice from the Government’s own internal Chief Advisor of the Treaty Partnerships Group earlier this month. Who specifically recommended delaying the decision, highlighting the significant legal risks in proceeding without first resolving these outstanding issues with iwi.
Over the last 18 months iwi have consistently and constantly stated that any proposed solutions must primarily uphold all the historic settlement agreements of local iwi and not prejudice their settlement negotiations related to the Tongariro National Park.
This latest decision also mirrors the deeply flawed process that has plagued the Tūroa Ski Field concession granted by DOC last year, where opposition from iwi, hapū, was similarly disregarded, which is now leading to ongoing instability and legal uncertainty.
For over two years, the RSSA has consistently sounded the alarm, warning that this approach – driven by flawed advice from MBIE and external consultants, would compromise the integrity of the concessions, expose the Crown to serious legal challenge, and irreparably damage relationships with tangata whenua which ultimately risks the future of skiing on Mt Ruapehu.
Regrettably, the Prime Minister and successive ministers have ignored these repeated warnings. This entire process has been driven by unelected MBIE officials and consultants who consistently ignored these warnings delivering flawed and biased advice to Ministers.
The Ministers themselves have been complicit in advancing this decision, prioritising short- sighted outcomes over the long-term credibility of conservation management and Treaty partnership obligations.
In light of recent developments, the RSSA stands by iwi in opposing the granting of this concession. We fully expect legal proceedings to follow and demand an immediate, independent review of the entire process.
We also urge members of the public who value our national parks and the principles of Treaty partnership to make their voices heard by writing to the Prime Minister via email to: Christopher.Luxon@parliament.govt.nz.
The Crown have already spent in excess of $50million of taxpayers money on this debacle. Common sense suggests it would have been much less complicated, quicker and less costly to simply stabilise the existing company and include iwi while the TNP settlement negotiations continue.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/30/whakapapa-sale-has-cleared-final-hurdle-but-costs-to- govt-are-severe/
Future generations deserve better than a Crown agency system that ignores tens of thousands of vested New Zealanders and speaks of partnership only to betray it when it matters most – for the short-term commercial gain of a few.
RSSA remains committed to supporting a sustainable future for skiing and snow sports on Mt Ruapehu, managed in a way that honours both the cultural and environmental significance of a maunga situated in one of the world’s few dual World Heritage Parks.
Our shared goal is to ensure that skiing on Mt Ruapehu continues for generations to come, under a model that is fair, inclusive, and reflective of the aspirations of thousands of passionate mountain users who have invested heavily in the maunga and who have not been adequately recognised.
Let us honour and respect the 100-year-old legacy and vision of the ski pioneers who made this place possible.
Nga mihi Ruapehu Skifield Stakeholders Association
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