A stylised illustration of a woman holding a patu is superimposed above the snowy peak of a black-and-white mountain against a solid red background. White geometric lines frame the woman and child.
Design: Liam Rātana

ĀteaMay 9, 2025

Who really owns the maunga? The unfinished business of Mount Ruapehu

Ātea editor
A stylised illustration of a woman holding a patu is superimposed above the snowy peak of a black-and-white mountain against a solid red background. White geometric lines frame the woman and child.
Design: Liam Rātana

The collapse of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has exposed a deeper tension at the heart of the maunga – who truly holds authority over its future: ski operators, the Crown or the iwi who consider it an ancestor?

More than just a ski field, Mount Ruapehu is a living tūpuna. To iwi like Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Hāua and others who whakapapa to the central plateau, the maunga is a sacred taonga, gifted under a tuku arrangement in 1886 – not to give it away, but to create a partnership. A partnership that, over 130 years later, still hasn’t been honoured.

Now, the maunga is at the heart of a bitter and drawn-out struggle – one involving bankruptcy, broken promises, government bailouts, Treaty breaches, and a future for the ski fields that hangs on contested ground.

So… what happened?

In 2022, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) – the not-for-profit that had run Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields for decades – collapsed under the weight of Covid lockdowns, poor snow seasons, ballooning debt and a $14m gondola project that never paid off. At the time, RAL owed over $40m to creditors – much of it to the Crown.

In response, the government stepped in with bailout after bailout – around $50m since 2018 – buying time to find new operators for the two ski fields. The rescue attempts were dubbed by regional development minister Shane Jones as “the last chance saloon”.

Now, both fields have been carved up and handed to new owners: Tūroa to tourism outfit Pure Tūroa, and Whakapapa to Whakapapa Holdings Ltd (WHL), a new company led by former RAL boss David Mazey.

Both were granted 10-year concessions by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to operate within Tongariro National Park – far short of the 60-year maximum term. Why? Because the deeper story is about more than just snow sports – it’s about unresolved Treaty settlements and the rangatiratanga of mana whenua.

View of a snow-capped mountain under a clear blue sky, surrounded by dry grass and shrubbery in the foreground.
Mount Ruapehu is protected as part of Tongariro National Park (Photo: Getty)

What do local iwi think about it all?

For local iwi, Ruapehu is not just a mountain – it’s an ancestor.

That worldview is fundamental to Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Hāua, and Te Korowai o Te Wainuiārua. It’s why iwi have long challenged how the maunga is used – not only for environmental reasons, but because they say they were never truly part of the decision-making process.

In 1886, Horonuku Te Heuheu IV of Ngāti Tūwharetoa initiated a tuku – a conditional transfer of the mountain peaks to the Crown – with the expectation of joint guardianship. However, that vision of partnership was never realised. In 2013, the Waitangi Tribunal confirmed the tuku was misinterpreted as a “gift”.

So when the government started selling off the ski field leases, iwi were, once again, left on the sidelines.

Ariki Sir Tumu Te Heuheu of Ngāti Tūwharetoa didn’t mince words in his April 2025 letter to the prime minister: “The government’s tactics of creating division between Ngāti Tūwharetoa entities as well as inappropriate disruption between us and our whanaunga iwi is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

‘He mea tautoko nā ngā mema atawhai. Supported by our generous members.’
Liam Rātana
— Ātea editor

He said the spirit of the tuku remained unfulfilled and he’s not alone in that critique.

Ngāti Rangi, via its trust Ngā Waihua o Paerangi, called for a rethink of ski field activity altogether, pointing to the sacredness of the Whangaehu River catchment, which begins on the maunga.

Ngāti Hāua, on the other hand, has focused on partnership and negotiated directly with local councils, striking a relationship agreement with Ruapehu District Council that emphasises a Tiriti-based, face-to-face approach to decision-making.

Where does the government sit now?

With the Crown having now exited direct involvement in operating the ski fields, iwi leaders argue that it’s walking away from its obligations – including the massive remediation bill that will fall to taxpayers if ski operations collapse again. DOC’s own books show a potential $88m liability if the maunga must be returned to its natural state. Basically, the maunga would need to be restored to its pristine condition, free of any ski infrastructure.

In effect, the Crown has offloaded the business risk – but not its moral or Treaty responsibilities.

Minister of conservation Tama Potaka has said the 10-year concessions are “short enough to allow Treaty negotiations to play out.” However, iwi want more than a delay tactic – they want actual, binding, enduring partnership in managing the maunga.

What’s next for iwi?

Well, it depends on which iwi you’re talking about.

Ngāti Tūwharetoa has signalled it will not support further development without renewed partnership talks. They are demanding direct dialogue with the prime minister. Legal counsel for the iwi has detailed multiple breaches of the Crown’s statutory and Treaty obligations to DOC, advising they will take these matters before the courts.

Ngāti Rangi continues to oppose ski operations on cultural and environmental grounds, while focusing on upholding environmental protections and kaitiakitanga. 

Ngāti Hāua is pushing for greater input into concession terms and environmental safeguards. In a proactive approach, a collective of four iwi – Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Hāua, Ngāti Rangi and Te Korowai o Te Wainuiārua – had proposed taking over the management of RAL to have a more active role in the guardianship of the maunga. This reflects a desire for iwi-led management that aligns with their cultural values and responsibilities – similar to what’s been established in places like Te Urewera or Whanganui River.

What’s clear is that any long-term solution for Ruapehu must reckon with iwi rights, not just ski field economics.

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And what about the skiers?

Thousands of life pass holders were left out in the cold after RAL’s liquidation. Pure Tūroa has tried to win them back with discounted season passes. Whakapapa Holdings has announced free passes for kids under 10. However, while ski businesses hustle to rebuild customer trust, the real question remains: who gets to decide the future of the maunga?

This is Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ On Air.

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Illustration of an underwater scene with seaweed, fish, and a jellyfish, blocked by yellow caution tape stretching across the center of the image.
Design: Liam Rātana

ĀteaMay 2, 2025

Caulerpa is threatening two of NZ’s most vital industries – why isn’t it a national pest yet?

Ātea editor
Illustration of an underwater scene with seaweed, fish, and a jellyfish, blocked by yellow caution tape stretching across the center of the image.
Design: Liam Rātana

Despite the growing threat of caulerpa and its potential to decimate our marine and tourism industries, the government still hasn’t classified it as a national pest.

Following the barrage of Cyclone Tam two weeks ago, hundreds of tonnes of caulerpa washed up on beaches near Rawhiti, on the far north east coast of the North Island. Recognising the need to respond quickly, local hapū Ngāti Kuta and Te Patukeha put out the call to the iwi of Te Tai Tokerau for urgent help. And the iwi responded, with dozens travelling from around the region to lend a hand with the removal of the invasive algae.

Described as the “cancer of the sea” and “a national emergency”, exotic caulerpa is a fast-growing green seaweed found in warm, shallow marine environments. Some species (like caulerpa brachypus, the exotic species in New Zealand) are invasive, spreading rapidly and outcompeting native marine life. Caulerpa can blanket the seabed, suffocating native species and altering ecosystems. Its rapid growth and resistance to grazing make it especially difficult to eradicate once established.

“The whole bay was smothered in it. It was heartbreaking,” said Viki Heta, one of the frontline responders, at a recent hui called to discuss the response of Te Tai Tokerau hapū to the caulerpa epidemic.

Native to tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and parts of the Mediterranean, officials don’t know exactly where or when the toxic, sticky green algae first entered New Zealand waters, but it is believed to have arrived on a vessel travelling from Australia or the Pacific.

Despite being initially discovered on the west coast of Aotea in the outer Hauraki Gulf in July 2021, the Ministry for Primary Industries says the amount of caulerpa found in various locations around the North Island suggests it had already been here for several years. Currently, Caulerpa is known to be as far north as the Bay of Islands and as far south as Ahuahu island off the coast of the Coromandel peninsula. While Ngāti Wai are leading the fight against Caulerpa in the Hauraki and surrounds, the battle up north is a cross-iwi effort.

‘He mea tautoko nā ngā mema atawhai. Supported by our generous members.’
Liam Rātana
— Ātea editor

In February this year, biosecurity minister Andrew Hoggard announced funding of $6.2m to assist with development of the technology to help control the spread of caulerpa. However, that only brings total government funding to approximately $15m over four years, compared to the $100m Northland Regional Council says is needed to tackle the issue. The funding appears relatively minuscule next to the industry figures most at risk if caulerpa is not swiftly dealt with. The fishing industry is worth around $5.2 bn annually in economic output and the marine tourism industry is worth approximately $2.1 bn annually.

“If we don’t act now, we could lose our fisheries within a generation,” said hui organiser Nyree Manuel to the meeting of iwi and hapū leaders from Te Tai Tokerau. “This is bigger than just one rohe – this is a threat to Aotearoa.”

However, despite the efforts of iwi leaders such as Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa chief executive George Riley to have caulerpa classified a national pest species – which would mean the government would have to develop and adequately resource a national pest management plan – caulerpa remains off the list and funding is still comparatively low next to the likes of kauri dieback.

“The response so far has been research-heavy and light on action,” said Jaycee Tipene-Thomas, who’s worked closely with hapū and biosecurity agencies. “MPI keeps asking for more time, but caulerpa spreads by the tide – it doesn’t wait.”

Caulerpa continues to spread like a benthic wildfire, destroying anything in its path. While the events following Cyclone Tam spurred hapū from across Te Tai Tokerau into action, key figures behind the scenes recognised that a more organised and intentional plan was required if ongoing meaningful impact was to be achieved. This led to a hui being held late last week to discuss a joint Te Tai Tokerau caulerpa response plan.

The hui was a gathering of heavy hitters from the north and beyond. Former Labour MP-turned-consultant Kelvin Davis was on the call, as were several iwi, hapū and marae leaders from throughout Te Tai Tokerau. Labour MP and biosecurity spokesperson Jo Luxton was there, alongside Māori Crown relations minister Tama Potaka. Despite several questions being asked about his government’s perceived lack of meaningful action in this space, Potaka did not speak,. The hui established that a draft response plan with hapū-led roles, hygiene protocols and team structures was required; it called for urgent government support and iwi inclusion; and emphasised education, coordination and the need for national pest recognition of caulerpa.

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“Our hapū and iwi are already organised,” said Te Aupōuri chief executive Tipene Kapa-Kingi. “It’s time for the government to catch up – and front up – with real resources. We’re moving ahead with or without them.”

Without urgent and meaningful government support, there are fears caulerpa will continue to wreak havoc on the seafloor and threaten an environment vital to two of the county’s most prominent industries. Until then, iwi, hapū and community organisations continue to fight against the invasive pest with the few resources they do have. Unfortunately, without adequate resourcing and despite their best efforts, the fight may be in vain.

“The castings on the beach are just the tip,” said Riley. “If we don’t eradicate it underwater, we risk wiping out entire ecosystems – and the livelihoods that depend on them.”

This is Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ On Air.

Ātea