DEVELOPMENT ON RUAPEHU

Press, Volume C, Issue 29525, 29 May 1961, Page 8

DEVELOPMENT ON RUAPEHU

Report Given N.Z. Ski Association A survey of recent development at New Zealand’s largest ski-ing resort at Mount Ruapehu caused much interest at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Ski Association in Christchurch on Saturday. The survey was given by Mr D. E. G. Naish, the association’s representative on the Tongariro National Park Board. Up to 75 tons of rubbish was removed from the mountain each week during school holiday periods, said Mr Naish, and crowds of between 3000 and 4000 on the ski-ing slopes were becoming common on good weekends in winter. In order to cater for the large amount of traffic using the mountain road, it had teen found necessary to have two resident traffic officers each week-end. “Planning is now going ahead on a new ice rink to be built close to the Chateau on the west side of the road, and a new national park headquarters is also to be built. This will be 2000 square feet, and tenders are being called now for its erec- ; tion. ! “An alpine garden covers [three acres and a half of 'ground, and already it has created a great deal of attention from tourists and school parties. The shop at the end of the mountain road has been extended, and a new lift costing about £lO.OOO has been installed.” This year. 11 professional instructors would be employed. on the mountain, but this number might be raised to 16. said Mr Naish. The development on the Ohakune side of the mountain was also spectacular. “A mountain road eight miles long has been built and a I bridge put across the Mangawhero stream. At the Mangawhero falls a site has been allocated for a village, and the road will probably be extended to a village for ski clubs at 6000 ft. The drive from Ohakune is one of the most scenic in New Zealand.”