'Cultural centre': Iwi keen to demolish Chateau Tongariro, build something new

Talk around the future of Chateau Tongariro appears to be at a crossroads as iwi favour demolition, while the Department of Conservation (DoC) recommends further work on a long-term lease.

DoC has spent more than $4.5 million maintaining Chateau Tongariro since it shut in early 2023, after seismic assessments raised safety concerns about the hotel.

Kah New Zealand ran the hotel for nearly 30 years before that.

DoC officials told Conservation Minister Tama Potaka a new commercial lease for the site carries “significant” Treaty and commercial risks, with both parties agreeing future decisions will be informed by Treaty partners, and commercial viability.

A briefing on long-term options for the chateau shows iwi prefer demolition, while officials recommend continuing to look at a lease.

Newstalk ZB obtained the document after an Official Information Act request to DoC.

“We recommend continuing to investigate a lease as, if successful, it offers regional economic benefit, restores visitor services, preserves heritage values and minimises long-term Crown costs,” officials told Potaka.

Despite the recommendation, officials warned a commercial lease comes with risks.

“To date, feedback from Treaty partners indicates concerns regarding insufficient DOC process, not upholding Treaty settlement commitments, and constraining a future Treaty settlement, as well as a general preference for demolition and possible replacement,” the briefing read.

Officials said Treaty partners wanted to “reimagine the future” for Whakapapa Village, including requests for a “master plan” from Patutokotoko, Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro, and Whakapapa Holdings, the latter of which runs the Whakapapa skifield on Mount Ruapehu.

Potaka said no decisions have been made on the long-term future of the site.

“An RFP process was undertaken to identify potential operators to progress the matter. Continuing to investigate a potential concession will ensure any future decision is informed by both an assessment of commercial viability and the views of Treaty partners,” Potaka told Newstalk ZB.

A hui in July, attended by representatives of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua and Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro, expressed a preference for demolition, according to the briefing.

“Demolition was viewed as a necessary first step toward a new vision for TNP [Tongariro National Park] that better reflects their rights and interests, in partnership with DoC. This could include replacement with a cultural centre which betters integrates with the maunga and respects cultural heritage,” officials said.

The agency added Treaty partners did not support a commercial lease, as there were “concerns that it could further alienate mana whenua, prioritises a more recent history rather than an indigenous/cultural narrative and constrain future Treaty settlements”.

Potaka was advised options to a lease, such as demolition and decommissioning were “costly”.
The minister was told reopening the Chateau could “contribute an estimated $56m of economic benefit for the region (net present value) over 60 years” as well as other regional benefits and creating jobs.

The agency provided Potaka with a detailed analysis of options, which officials said was based on Treaty partner rights and interests, Treaty implications, cost to the Crown, statutory purpose, legal risks, local economic impact and wider public interest.

A lease was described as delivering “the greatest economic impact, preserves the heritage asset, restores village activity, and potentially avoids substantial Crown expenditure”.

The “disadvantages” to pursuing a commercial lease were redacted in the OIA response.

Legal risks, presented as part of the three options, were fully redacted.

Department of Conservation asset management director Shan Baththana told Newstalk ZB the agency analysed long-term options against relevant criteria.

“While this assessment supports continuing to investigate the commercial viability of a lease, DoC has not identified a preferred option and no decision has been made,” Baththana said.

Officials added there would be a “strongly negative public perception” of if demolition, given the chateau’s its heritage status. The agency told Potaka potential negative tourism and employment effects could be mitigated with an alternative strategy for the village designed with Treaty partners.

The late-July briefing described the site’s “deteriorating condition” as a “financial liability” for DoC.

Officials suggested decommissioning the site could slow deterioration but would not prevent it.

Potaka was told the site would remain an “abandoned building eyesore” if this were to go forward.

Department of Conservation officials reiterated “extensive restoration and earthquake strengthening” were required for the site to open.

A request for proposals (RFP) process identified six suitable respondents for further consideration, including one, whose name is redacted, cited as the “lead respondent”.