The letter to the Prime Minister linked below was sent after careful deliberation and listening to stakeholders. It highlights our group's serious concerns with the recent process undertaken by MBIE in relation to the current RAL administration. This was made more urgent by the recent Newshub article, "Ruapehu hapū not ruling out high court injunction" published Friday 9th June.
We are calling on the Government to pause this process immediately and allow a caretaker to run RAL trading through the Winter 2023 Season, under the current company and concessions.
This will provide certainty for the local community, skifield staff, regional tourism operators, and the skiing public. The company already has winter operations ready to go with chairlifts fitted and staff hired for the winter season. Pausing the corporate takeover process will not disrupt the season, but rushing things at this critical juncture could have consequences for decades to come.
A pause to the process will then allow time for a robust framework to be put in-place which ensures transparent and respectful consultation can take place. This will result in better decisions regarding the long-term future of snow sports and sightseeing on Mt Ruapehu.
Link: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2306/S00213/request-for-transparency-in-mbies-conduct-regarding-the-ski-fields-at-mt-ruapehu.htm
