WTMC Ruapehu Lodge Blog

Note: As at October the foundations have been restored to their original construction – visitors to the lodge could never agree on which way to face the lodge at any time.

Comment

Note: As at October the foundations have been restored to their original construction – visitors to the lodge could never agree on which way to face the lodge at any time.

Comment

The snow is late to arrive this winter. So far snowfall amounts on North Island skifields, and most South Island skifields have been well below normal, and at some e.g., Rainbow, there has been nothing.
But at Whakapapa with snowmaking and grooming some trails have been opened which is way better than nothing.
In the meantime keep those lodge bookings – a big dumping may be just around the corner.

Comment

READ ON…

The climatic record of The Chateau, Mt. Ruapehu, an isolated volcanic mountain located at 39°S in New Zealand’s North Island, was investigated for influence from the Southern Oscillation (SO) in an attempt to ascertain whether any relationship between snow and ski conditions and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) could be detected.
Climatological data for the period 1930-1980 were subjected to linear regression analysis, correlations and principal components analysis.

TEMPERATURE

The analyses suggested that temperatures at the Chateau were positively correlated with the SOI for both annual (R = 0.40 to 0.57) as well as seasonal data, with R values typically ranging from 0.28 to 0.40 (autumn (R = 0.28 to 0.33), winter (R = 0.39), and spring (R = 0.28 to 0.40)) indicating that with an increase (decrease) in the SOI, air temperatures tend to increase (decrease).

PRECIPITATION

Precipitation shows a small but significant correlation with the SOI. The relationship is positive for total precipitation in winter (R = 0.30), and negative for the number of days with snow in autumn (R = -0.27), indicating that with an increase (decrease) in the SOI the total precipitation increases (decreases) in winter and the number of days with snow decreases (increases) in autumn.

WIND

Wind variables showed no correlation to the SOI. Principal components analysis of a data set of annual averages indicated that the SOI has a positive relationship with temperatures, a negative relationship with the number of days with snow, and no apparent relationship with wind.

CONCLUSION

In terms of ski field management, negative or zero annual SOI values have coincided with a 60% chance of “good” skiing conditions or an 80% chance of “good” to “fair” skiing conditions at Mt. Ruapehu. Positive SOIs have been associated with only a 32% chance of good skiing.

Currently the 30-day average SOI is: +0.56.

Oh dear! But remember the lodge is not just for skiing—there are still heaps of things to do from the lodge without the snow.

Comment

So the snow is a bit slow arriving this year at Mt Ruapehu – and many other skifields as well.

Well don’t despair – have you tried the Kaukau Skifield on one of the highest peaks near Wellington?

Open all year round, it’s free, and no tow queues.

Comment

Lovely day for a picnic.

Walk 12.8km NE of WTMC Ruapehu Lodge to a seldom-visited frozen lake.

On the way you may have a NZ falcon swoop by – brushing your leg as it snatches a small bird (possibly a riroriro) in its talons before landing on a rock just 2m away.
After watching you for a bit it grabs the bird in it’s beak and flies away towards the cliffs of Pukekaikiore.

Just another day at the WTMC Lodge. Come up and try it for yourself.

Comment

From Andrew Bevan, newsroom, 1 May 2025.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka will release his decision on the future of the Whakapapa ski field this week – but the drama on the maunga is only just beginning.

Ariki Sir Tumu Te Heuheu, the paramount chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, has written a letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Potaka, Paul Goldsmith and Nicola Willis expressing serious concern at the Government’s intentions.

In this letter, the Ariki, knighted for services to conservation in 2009, says he wishes to talk to Luxon and the other ministers about beginning the Government’s “retreat” from Mount Ruapehu.

In the 1880s, Ngāti Tūwharetoa chief Horonuku Te Heuheu began the process of a tuku (essentially a transfer) of the mountain peaks into joint management with the Crown.

This was misconstrued as a “noble gift” by the government of the day, a view that was widely held until 2013, when the Waitangi Tribunal found it was an offer of partnership.

“In 1886, Horonuku Te Heuheu initiated what was one of the most influential decisions made on behalf of Ngāti Tūwharetoa. It was with great hope, but also trepidation that he enacted a Tuku,” reads the Ariki’s letter, which is also signed by other leaders of the iwi.

“The Tuku was made in goodwill, with the intention of ensuring the sanctity of our most revered and sacred taonga. Not only allowing the New Zealand people and eventually those of the world an opportunity to enjoy their majesty, but also a way forward for Ngāti Tūwharetoa and the Crown to work together in partnership.

“Now, 139 years later I write to confirm to you that the Tuku has not been fulfilled, leaving the hope of my ancestor in abeyance. His trepidation has been justified and Ngāti Tūwharetoa are farther away from our taonga than ever.”

Newsroom understands the relationship between the Government and iwi/hapu groups – beyond just Ngāti Tūwharetoa – over the national park have deteriorated significantly in the past 12 months.

The strain on the relationship had grown over the insolvency of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts and the sale of its assets, as well as the resulting Department of Conservation concession processes, which have left local Māori groups feeling disillusioned.

The letter says recent interactions with the ministers and the Department of Conservation suggest the Government does not intend to honour the Tuku of 1886, but rather “to alienate Ngāti Tūwharetoa and neglect opportunities for partnership and meaningful collaboration”.

“Ngāti Tūwharetoa it seems has been a mere afterthought.”
The Ariki says his son has conveyed this position to Potaka and Goldsmith, but they have continued to evade the conversation he wants to have.

Potaka’s office did not respond to Newsroom’s request for comment.

The Ariki writes: “I have stated before and I reiterate this again, 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.

“On this note and for absolute clarity, the discussion I wish to have with you is to discuss the retreat of the Government from the Maunga.

“Until this discussion is had, there will be no support by Ngāti Tūwharetoa for any further concessions or development upon our Maunga.”

According to the Tongariro National Park Plan, which has to be followed by the Conservation Minister in making any decision, tāngata whenua must be robustly consulted.

Though the Pure Tūroa deal is complete and Department of Conservation approval for the Whakapapa Holding’s purchase was widely considered a foregone conclusion, this unwillingness to support any new work on the mountain could have wider-ranging consequences.

Concessions will be needed for any new summer operations for the business, and any deal to save the Chateau Tongariro will also require a concession for any future operator.

A much more substantive piece of work, in the form of a live Treaty of Waitangi settlement between the Crown, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and other iwi groups over the Tongariro National Park, could be affected by this relationship breakdown.

In 2023, former Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little told Te Ao News negotiations would focus on cultural redress and may include discussions on the future governance and management of the park.

From the outset of the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts insolvency, there were calls to resolve the negotiations before proceeding with new owners.

But this week Conservation Minister Tama Potaka is expected to announce concession approval for Whakapapa Holdings, which will then take ownership of its namesake ski field with $5 million in support from the Crown.

The conservation concession process can take over a year, but like the Tūroa concession before it, emphasis has been put on turning it around in a matter of months so the new owners can prepare to operate this winter.

Comment

Two club members spent 4 days in sunny calm weather wandering about the Ruapehu area including visiting an ice cave in the Summit Plateau Glacier. The story of the trip to this remarkable feature is in a post in the WTMC Newsletter.

Comment

A group from the Auckland and Wellington Sections of the NZ Alpine Club spent a weekend at the lodge and made good use of the fine weather climbing the 60+ routes near the lodge in both trad and sport ranging from grade 6 to 31.

Comment

The summer weekend adventure at the lodge was a real blast! A group of 12 enthusiastic punters made the most of some great weather, taking on some of the best outdoor experiences the region has to offer.

• • Hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – the most popular day walk in the park for good reasons

• • Mountain biked the 42 Traverse – a must-do for MTBs

• • Visited the Tama Lakes – an easy trail to a scenic gem

• • Summited Te Heuheu – an exciting challenge with rewarding views.

• • Enjoyed a relaxing walk around Lake Rotopounamu – a hidden jewel surrounded by native forest.

If you missed out, don’t worry! Another epic weekend is planned for 9–11 May. With only 12 spots available, this action-packed adventure will likely fill up fast.

• • Trip date: 9–11 May

• • Location: Club Lodge, Mt Ruapehu

• • Limited spaces: Only 12 participants.

This was a big club trip of 42 members (10 people sleeping in Graduates Ski Lodge). Groups ranged all over the mountain including skiing and boarding on artificial snow in Happy Valley. The evening meal was cooked by an Italian chef. A weekend to remember.

This trip was an attempt by nine punters to climb to the summit of Mt Ruapehu. But the weather had other ideas. Nevertheless the group had an exhilarating time out in the wind and rain. Toby wrote the story of their adventures for the WTMC Annual Journal.