From: s9(2)(a)
co.nz>
Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2023 2:36 PM
To: Damian Coutts <[email address]>; Joanne de Lange <[email address]>
Cc: s9(2)(a)
nz>
Subject: FW: RAL Voluntary Administration concession requirements
Attachments: DC108 - Letter to potential new operator - s9(2)(a)
20230623 DOC
Licence Assignment.pdf
Damian
Attached is our response to your letter of 9 June 2023.
Regards
s9(2)(a)
Email: s9(2)(a)
Mobile:
Address:
From: Damian Coutts [mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Saturday, 10 June 2023 8:05 am
To: s9(2)(a)
Subject: Fwd: RAL Voluntary Administration concession requirements
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From: Joanne de Lange <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 9 June 2023, 5:03 pm
To: s9(2)(a)
Cc: Damian Coutts <[email address]>
Subject: RAL Voluntary Administration concession requirements
Kia ora s9(2)(a)
Please see attached.
Ngā mihi
Jo de Lange
Kaiāwhina - Kaihautu Matarautaki |
Personal Assistant
To Director Regional Operations, Central North Island
Taupō office | Taupō-nui-a-Tia Office
Phone: s9(2)(a)
www.doc.govt.nz
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You ref: DC108/DOC 7365304
16 June 2023
Damian Coutts
Director Operations, Central North Island
Department of Conservation
Via email: [email address]
Tena koe Damian
I refer to your letter of 9 June 2023.
We note you are processing a request from the Voluntary Administrator for Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd (RAL) to
commence the process for assignment of the Whakapapa Licence to Whakapapa Holdings Limited (WHL), if
this company is successful in its bid for those assets of RAL which are necessary for the ongoing operation of
Whakapapa Ski Area.
We offer the fol owing information in response to the subject matters you have identified.
s9(2)(a), s9(2)(b)(ii)
s9(2)(b)(ii)
Relationship with Iwi
During the past four weeks s9(2)(a)
have met with representatives of the key Iwi who we
understand are the Iwi currently in negotiation with the Crown on the Tongariro National Park Claim. From
our own knowledge, combined with advise from Government agencies, we decided to introduce WHL, and
ourselves personally, to those Iwi who are engaged in this claim process.
We have met with:
s9(2)(a)
These discussions were informative, very friendly and, which we all agreed with, the start of what wil be a
continuous journey of engagement and enlightenment related to the maunga and our, hopeful, operation of
Whakapapa.
Whakapapa Holdings Limited, Private Bag, Bruce Rd, Mt Ruapehu
s9(2)(a)
The Te Pae Maunga Agreement, and associated clauses within the licence, wil be the cornerstone of WHL
understanding, and delivery of our responsibility to provide genuine and meaningful stewardship of the
maunga. We are very open to developing similar formal agreements with other Iwi if this is determined to
be the more appropriate way to create structures that provide confidence to all that WHL is genuine in a
commitment to stewardship responsibilities.
Experience & Capability
WHL has significant relevant experience to take the business forward in a sustainable manner,
ensuring long term viability. This group has a combined 70 years’ experience in ski area operations
and management, plus wide experience in project delivery and finance.
s9(2)(a) has held employee, management and governance roles in a number of snow and tourism
related businesses operating in NZ and overseas. This experience has included businesses
operating on the DOC estate under a DOC licence.
s9(2)(b)(ii)
s9(2)(a)
WHL has engaged s9(2)(a)
as CE along with a senior management team including s9(2)
This management team is experienced, competent and
(a)
familiar with all issues associated with operating a business within Tongariro National Park, under a
DOC licence.
Financial viability
s9(2)(b)(ii)
Attached for your information is forecast Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statement for the next 18 months.
This reflects the financial forecasts which have been provided to Kanoa.
Note: this attachment is withheld in full under section
9(2)(b)(ii) of the OIA
Whakapapa Holdings Limited, Private Bag, Bruce Rd, Mt Ruapehu
Annual Financial Statements
s9(2)(b)(ii)
An audited set of annual financial accounts wil be provided to the Department as required in the Licence.
Conditions of the Licence
The directors and management of WHL are all familiar with the suite of documents (Licence, TNP
Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy etc) and statutory requirements (Conservation Act,
Resource Management Act etc) which apply to and are part of the fabric associated with a concession
operation on the maunga.
We have a strong commitment to taking on al conditions of the licence, particularly those clauses associated
with the Te Pae Maunga agreement.
Please contact s9(2)(a)
direct if you have further questions.
s9(2)(a)
s9(2)(a)
s9(2)(a)
Director
Director
Director
Whakapapa Holdings Limited, Private Bag, Bruce Rd, Mt Ruapehu
