Ruapehu Bulletin

Ruapehu Bulletin Welcome to the Ruapehu Bulletin, the community newspaper that's served the Ruapehu District since 1983.

We publish every Tuesday and we deliver to Ohakune, Raetihi, National Park, Waiouru, Whakapapa Village and now, Taumarunui.

30/04/2025

TŪROA WELCOMES CONCESSION GRANT TO WHL FOR WHAKAPAPA SKI AREA

Thursday, 1 May 2025:

Tūroa is pleased to acknowledge and support today’s announcement that Whakapapa Holdings Limited (WHL) has been granted the Department of Conservation concession to operate the Whakapapa Ski Area from 1 May 2025. Tūroa recognises the significance of this milestone after more than two and a half years of uncertainty, following the insolvency proceedings of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL).

“We offer our congratulations to WHL on securing the concession and applaud the determination and resilience of staff and our community shown throughout this challenging transition,” said Cam Robertson, Director of Tūroa.
“We share a mutual commitment to the future of skiing and snowboarding on Mt Ruapehu. Today’s news is a win for the wider snow sports community, for local businesses, and for New Zealand’s tourism sector.”

Greg Hickman, Director of Pure Tūroa Limited (PTL), added:

“This is an important moment not just for Whakapapa, but for the entire Ruapehu region. The past few years have tested the strength of our mountain community, but we’ve come through it with a clearer sense of purpose. Two competing ski areas on Ruapehu is healthy for snow sports in New Zealand. Moreover, a dual-field future is vital for regional resilience, and sustainable long-term growth — and this announcement brings welcome stability to the maunga we all deeply respect.”

“As we look toward the 2025 winter season and beyond, Tūroa is excited to continue offering our unique alpine experience,” adds Cam. Visitors are encouraged to get in quick to purchase their early bird season passes prior to May 14 to beat the pre-season price increase. Winter is on in 2025,” Cam concluded.

30/04/2025

On 30 April 2025, Director-General Penny Nelson announced that Whakapapa Holdings 2024 Limited has been granted a 10-year concession to operate the Whakapapa ski-field.

When making the decision to grant the concession, the Director-General considered information received from iwi consultation and the public notification process. The reasons for the Director-General’s decision are set out in the decision letter, which is available at
https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/have-your-say/all-consultations/2024-consultations/whakapapa-holdings-2024-limited/

Below is an extract:
Summary of Decision

9. I have decided to grant WHL’s application for leases, licence and easement for 10 years, subject to some modifications and conditions which are set out in the Concession Documents in Attachment 1.

10. In short, I am satisfied that:
a) There is adequate information in support of the applications for concessions.
b) Having regard to the factors in section 17U(1) of the Conservation Act, it is appropriate to grant concessions to WHL on the terms contained in the enclosed concession documents.
c) The applications are consistent with relevant planning documents (although this has necessitated declining the request to use aircraft for promotional filming).
d) The granting of concessions is consistent with sections 4 and 49 of the NPA and consistent with the purposes for which the land is held.
e) The proposed concession of the Ski Area will provide the public with the benefit, recreational use and enjoyment of an area of TNP containing outstanding scenery and natural features. This also covers the use of aircraft (principally drones but also helicopters) for purposes of WHL’s operations; and permits filming but excludes the use of aircraft for this purpose.
f) Leases of the land on which the structures and facilities are located, both in the Ski Area and Whakapapa Village, meets the requirements in section 17U(5) and (6) of the Conservation Act.
g) The granting of concessions is not inconsistent with the WHA status.
h) My decision is consistent with the obligations of the Crown under relevant Treaty settlement legislation and Deeds of Settlement.
i) My decision is consistent with the requirements in section 4 of the Conservation Act 1987 to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

16/04/2025

State Highway 4 (SH4) between Manunui and National Park has reopened early to 1 lane this afternoon under stop/go, and will be fully reopen by the end of the day under a temporary speed limit.

The highway has been closed since Monday morning 14 April for emergency repairs, due to the discovery of a tomo (cavity) under the road at Mansons Siding, Raurimu.

“The tomo was likely formed due to erosion from a concentration of moisture under the road,” says Sandra King, System Manager Waikato for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

“Repairs involved excavating 5 metres below the road level. The team constructed a drainage blanket at the base of the excavation and again at approximately 2 metres deep to ensure any moisture in this sensitive geological location was able to drain.

“Contractors finished building material back up to 400mm below surface this morning and are reinstating the pavement now,” Ms King says.

The speed limit will remain over the Easter weekend to allow the surface to settle safely before contractors return next week to prep the surface and seal.

Ms King advises road users to take care through the site and thanks them for their patience.

Plan for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:
• Traffic updates
• Facebook
• X
• Journey Planner
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

*END*

14/04/2025

SH4 CLOSED AT MANSONS SIDING RAURIMU - FROM 8AM MON 14 APRIL - DETOUR VIA SH41 & SH47 - APPROX 52 MINUTES
State Highway 4 (SH4) between Manunui and National Park will be closed from 8am on Monday 14 April for emergency repairs, due to a tomo or cavity under the road at Mansons Siding, Raurimu.

The highway has been under stop/go here since Wednesday 9 April, but a full closure is needed to undertake repairs, which will involve excavating beyond the centreline.

The work is expected to be complete and the road reopened ahead of the Easter break, but an exact timeframe cannot be determined until more investigations reveal the depth and nature of the cavity.

The detour is significant. It will be via State Highway 41 (SH41) and State Highway 47 (SH47) for all vehicles. This is around 67 kilometres, which adds approximately 52 minutes.

Road users should plan ahead before they travel and keep an eye on Journey Planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) thanks road users for their patience.

PLAN AHEAD FOR SAFE, ENJOYABLE JOURNEY
Keep up to date with:
Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
⦁ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nztawbop
⦁ X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/nztawbop
⦁ Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

12/03/2025

State Highway 1 Desert Road to re-open after two-month closure
4:34 pm on 12 March 2025
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The electronic traffic sign outside the lower North Island town of Bulls.The sign, outside of Bulls, says State Highway 1 is closed. Photo: RNZ / Pretoria Gordon
The Desert Road in the central North Island will re-open on Friday after a two-month closure for major roadworks.

State Highway 1 between Tūrangi and Waiouru has been shut since mid-January, forcing a 40-minute detour.

The transport agency's contractors had now rebuilt and repaired 28 lane kilometres of road - 12 more than planned - and completely rebuilt the deck of the Mangatoetoenui Bridge, said maintenance and operations regional manager Roger Brady.

"By doing the work under full road closures, more invasive construction methods can be used which would not be possible under stop/go traffic management," he said.

"It means SH1 is being brought up to a higher standard quickly, and New Zealanders can get back on a quality road surface sooner," Brady said.

It was part of the country's "largest and most ambitious" maintenance project: the Tīrau to Waiouru maintenance programme.

Before the works, Waka Kotahi said the stretch of the road was one of worst in Waikato, and among the most challenging to fix.

The road would reopen at 1pm on Friday 14 March with traffic management and speed restrictions in some parts for three to four days.

Further work to finish the road surfacing would happen later in the year, and mostly carried out at night.

When the closure was announced the chief executive of a Māori trust that administers land in the area said he was blindsided.

A transport industry group said it would increase freight costs by $100,000 a day - but it supported the move, saying the road had to be fixed.

The closure was a welcome boost to Ruapehu businesses, diverting traffic to small towns like Ohakune, National Park, Taumarunui and Raetihi.

Report from RNZ.

05/03/2025

Ohakune Mardi Gras 2025 – It’s ON! 🔥🎉

Aotearoa’s favourite winter festival is BACK, and we’re going all out for 2025! ❄️🏔️

📅 Saturday, 28th June
📍 Ohakune

Start planning NOW—round up your crew, sort your travel, and lock in your stay. This is the winter weekend you do not want to miss!

We’re teaming up with Audiology & George FM to bring you an epic lineup, featuring:

🔥 HYBRID MINDS + TEMPZA
🔥 CRU CAST TAKEOVER FT.
🔥 SKEPSIS
🔥 DARKZ
🔥 FLAVA D
🔥 ETHERWOOD
🔥 GRACE GRUNDY presents HOMESICK
🔥 HALOGENIX
🔥 STRATEGY
🔥 VENJENT
..and many more to come! 👀

Get ready for an unreal night in Ohakune! 🚀 Tickets on sale 12th March!!

24/12/2024

Whooping Cough in the Whanganui Region

From Whanganui Regional Health Network:

What can you do these holidays to safeguard your loved ones against whooping cough (pertussis)?

Let’s start by showing aroha/love for our whānau/family and friends, by staying home when we are unwell and only visiting when we are better. Your gift of ‘thoughtfulness’ for the health and wellbeing of your loved ones will be greatly appreciated by all.

Whooping cough is not under control in Aotearoa New Zealand and Health New Zealand declared an epidemic in November 2024. Cases have spread across the motu/region and numbers are among the highest recorded since early 2019. The holiday period is likely to increase the spread and numbers unless we all play our part.

We can all help stop the spread of whooping cough by doing all the things we know and do so well.
• Hapū māmā/pregnant women can get a FREE vaccination from 16 weeks (this provides >90% protection for newborn pēpi/babies until they get their first immunisation at 6 weeks)
• If you are unwell (even just a sniffle) DON’T visit whānau and friends until you are better
• Show your aroha by sending gifts or FaceTime your mokopuna/grandchild and whānau, so that you have some form of contact when you are unwell
• Washing your hands frequently
• Cover nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
• When you are sick stay home away from people, public places, work and school
• Put a mask on if you have cold symptoms or are out in public places
• In crowded areas, practice keeping your distance to keep yourself and others well
• Whānau close to pēpi can also have whooping cough immunisation to safeguard pēpi who are too young for their first immunisation (please check with your health provider as there may be a cost)

Parents, siblings, grandparents and whānau can easily pass whooping cough on. We can carry the whooping cough bug in our nose and not even know we have it, but pass it on to those unprotected and vulnerable, like pēpi, younger tamariki/children and our kaumatua/older adults.

Whooping cough can cause very serious illness especially in pēpi too young for their first immunisation and it can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia or brain damage. Around 50% of pēpi who catch whooping cough before the age of 12 months need hospitalisation and 1 or 2 in 100 of those hospitalised die from the infection. Older tamariki usually get a less severe disease, but the cough and vomiting can be very distressing. Adults may just have an irritating cough that goes on much longer than usual. There is no medicine to stop the cough once it has started.

Hapū māmā getting immunised when they are pregnant will protect pēpi until they can have their first immunisations at six weeks old. The antenatal vaccination for pertussis is safe and free – this is most effective when given from 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Prevention is the best treatment, however, be vigilant and watch out for the signs and symptoms of whooping cough these holidays.

People are most infectious in the early stages, with the first signs of whooping cough normally appearing around one week after infection. The symptoms are similar to a cold, with;
• a blocked or runny nose
• sneezing
• a mild fever
• ongoing spasms of coughing.

After about one week, symptoms include;
• uncontrollable coughing fits that last for a few minutes – sometimes people will make a 'whoop' sound when gasping for breath between coughs, and while this is a common sign of whooping cough it’s not always heard
• coughing that leads to vomiting
• a thick mucus that can make you vomit or choke.

Keeping on top of whooping cough is a lifelong commitment. For those who choose to have vaccinations they are needed at ages 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months, and again at 4 years. A further booster is given at age 11 years (school year 7) and for adults one free booster from age 45 (if they have not had four previous tetanus doses) and one free from age 65. Anyone who has missed their vaccinations, especially pēpi and tamariki, it is not too late to catch up.

If you are not sure you are eligible or want to enquire about getting a vaccination, please contact your health provider or if you have any questions or concerns, phone Healthline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 611 116. For up-to-date information on healthcare providers and services offered go to Healthpoint.

20/12/2024

Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake starts heating - minor volcanic unrest continues. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.

Since mid-October the temperature of Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) has been slowly heating. The current temperature is now around 18-19°C, from a low of 8 °C early October.

“We continue to measure low–moderate volcanic sulphur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions, and low level of volcanic tremor. An eruption remains unlikely, and the Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 and the Aviation Colour Code at Green,” said Agnes Mazot, duty volcanologist.

Earlier this year, Te Wai ā-moe was in a cooling phase from February with the lake temperature dropping from about 30ºC, to a low point of 8ºC early October. During that cooling episode, the amounts of SO2 gas coming out through the lake decreased and volcanic tremor also declined, consistent with the cooling of the hydrothermal system beneath the lake.

There are now clear signs of reheating of Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) with an increase in temperature by 10ºC since early-October. The daily average is currently around 18–19ºC. Both the increase and the current temperature are well within the expected norms.

The amount of sulphur dioxide (SO2) gas has also increased since early October 2024, which shows that the vent is now more open than during the earlier cooling episode. That is consistent with observations of weak upwellings in the lake and floating strands of sulphur on the lake surface, and overall, more heat reaching and warming the lake.

“Our recent observations are consistent with ongoing, low-level volcanic unrest at Ruapehu. We expect the lake to slowly keep heating up during the coming months as part of a typical Ruapehu heating-cooling episode.”

20/12/2024

Te Ara Mangawhero open to the end of Phase one

Work was finished to the end of Phase One of Te Ara Mangawhero on Friday, up to the end of the old Bennett & Punch timber milling tramline.

20/12/2024

Minister gives thumbs up to Waimarino as new name for National Park Village

By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting

An iwi bid to have the central North Island village of National Park renamed Waimarino has been successful.

A second iwi proposal to change the name of the village railway station from National Park Station to Waimarino Railway Station has been declined.

Land Information Minister Chris Penk made the determinations in his statutory role as final decision maker.

The Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board announced the decisions this morning.

Iwi representatives said Waimarino is the original Māori name for the area, referring to calm waters pooling on the plains as they come down from the mountain.

The proposal was to alter the unofficial recorded place name National Park to the official place name Waimarino, for the village at the intersection of State Highway 4 and State Highway 47, on the western edge of Tongariro National Park.

More than 2500 submissions were received.

At its hui on 30 April, the Geographic Board considered a report on the submissions.

Because the Board didn’t agree with the objecting submissions received, it requested the Minister for Land Information to make the final determination.

The chair of iwi collective Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, Aiden Gilbert, said the name change was good news and would be celebrated by the three iwi Uenuku, Tamakana and Tamahaki.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Gilbert said.

“Well done to the Minister and his advisors for reverting to the original name.

“If you’re looking at it from a historical perspective, it’s the right decision.”

Gilbert said official recognition of the original name was “very positive” for the iwi.

“The name for that place is part of our historical narrative. Recognising it just adds another missing piece to the understanding of our historical landscape.

“Congratulations to Waimarino village.”

The chairperson of the local business association, lodge owner Andrea Messenger, said the name change was “just a small part of a bigger picture”.

“It is one step forward, not a backwards or a sideways step.

“There are a lot of mixed emotions but I don’t think business is going to change too much.”

Messenger said there would be some confusion as the name Waimarino is rolled out to the rest of the globe as the village’s new identity.

“Everybody is on the internet researching where they want to travel to, and that’s where the confusion’s going to come, especially with Raetihi having a lot of primary buildings with the name Waimarino and being only 30 minutes away.

“Change is not going to happen overnight – it’s going to take a generation to roll this out.”

Earlier this month, the business association pre-empted the name change with a change of its own, switching from National Park Village Business Association to Tongariro National Park Villages Business Association.

“Our association encompasses quite a few villages – Erua, Raurimu, Whakapapa and this village,” Messenger said.

The Minister ruled on proposals to change 12 place names around the country.

He declined a proposal by Rangitīkei District Council to add a macron to change Rangitikei District to Rangitīkei District.

A proposal to alter Manawatu District to Manawatū District (by adding a macron) was also declined.

But a Manawatu District Council proposal to name a new suburb of Feilding as Maewa has been approved.

The proposal was to extend the existing locality of Maewa to include a future housing development currently referred to as Precinct 4, and to formalise it as an official suburb of Feilding.

Maewa is an original Māori place name which Ngāti Kauwhata gifted to the council for the suburb. It means "to meander" and describes the waterway that begins as a puna (spring) at the currently locality and flows east into Makino Stream.

ENDS
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

12/11/2024

Updated 🚴‍♀️🌿 Mangapurua Track Not Quite Open! 🥾🌉
Big thanks to the Department of Conservation team for their hard work—riders and walkers trying to get access the Bridge to Nowhere and Mangapurua Landing! 🙌 The team were a bit ahead of themselves. They are aiming to complete this work to a good standard on Friday. 🌟 Enjoy the adventure to come! (Photos of repaired slip to come)

Ruapehu NZ Discover Whanganui Tour Aotearoa Tour Aotearoa: General Forum Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail Blue Duck Station Whanganui River Adventures Mountain Bike Station Whanganui Tours Bridge to Nowhere Lodge and Tours &bike Ruatiti Station

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