The iwi's Treaty settlement with the Crown recognises its rangatiratanga over the maunga and grants it a say in decisions. Photo: AFP
Mana whenua at Mt Ruapehu have described the lack of consultation around the operator of the mountain's skifields going into administration as insulting.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts announced on Tuesday that it was going into voluntary administration, brought about by significant financial pressures from the pandemic and a lack of snow.
Ngāti Rangi has had a relationship agreement Ruapehu Alpine Lifts since 2017, with the iwi supposed to be consulted on decisions and having a voice at the decision-making table.
The iwi's 2018 Treaty settlement with the Crown also recognises its rangatiratanga over the maunga and grants it a say in decisions.
Yet when the decision to go into receivership was made on Tuesday, Ngāti Rangi didn't even receive a heads-up phone call.
Iwi affronted by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts' lack of consultation
Te Tōtarahoe o Paerangi chairperson Whetu Moataane said to not hear from either party was an affront.
"We were offended that we weren't given heads up, we weren't given the opportunity to have that conversation before they released the statement," Te Tōtarahoe o Paerangi chairperson Whetu Moataane said.
"You didn't even have the opportunity to share this news with our Te Pae Toka group," said Moataane, referring to the partnership group for the maunga.
"We would have talked more about the concession to be on the mountain, we would have talked about what our other opportunities or other avenues that could potentially go down to help RAL.
"We would have had the conversation about our regional economy and the effects it will have on our region, in particularly our businesses here in Ohakune.
"We don't just see him as a mountain, we see him as our koro, our grandfather, we look to him for guidance and inspiration."
The lack of consultation and apparent ignorance of the agreements by both Ruapehu Alpine Lifts and the Crown brought into question their very purpose.
"What the Crown needs to remember [is] Ngāti Rangi ain't going nowhere, we're here forever ... we have a responsibility as mana wenua, as iwi to look after all peoples in our rohe and it's our kaitiaki responsibility."
"When we go into a relationship with people, we adhere to our relationship, we have expectations of those who would go into relationships with us to be transparent and to be open and not hide anything from us," said Moataane.
The iwi is yet to have a proper conversation with Ruapehu Alpine Lifts but has made contact hoping to meet soon.