OIAD-3528
16 November 2023
Stephen Prendergast
[FYI request #24609 email] Tēnā koe Stephen
Thank you for your Official Information Act request to the Department of Conservation
(DOC), received on 31 October 2023 in which you asked:
What is the proposed date for the notification of the issuing of concessions for
Whakapapa and Turoa skifields?
If no date has been confirmed what discussions have been undertaken on the
concession process and dates for notification?
When DOC receives a concession application, public notification is determined in line with
section 17SC of the Conservation Act.
The concession process for ski fields at Mt Ruapehu will be complex, and most likely require
a publicly notified consultation process. As we have not yet received a concession
application for either Whakapapa or Tūroa ski fields, we do not have a proposed date for
notifying that application.
DOC is currently working through the timelines to understand how a concession process
could be managed, if a concession application is received. This includes regular discussions
with other Crown agencies, our Treaty partners, and stakeholders.
More generally, there are some statutory timeframes that apply when DOC receives an
application to use Public Conservation Land for commercial purposes, and public notification
is required. For example, section 49(2)(b)(ii) of the Conservation Act, requires that public
notification for a concession process must be for at least 20 working days, to allow time for
submissions or objections to be made.
You are entitled to seek an investigation and review of this response by writing to an
Ombudsman as provided by section 28(3) of the Official Information Act. Please note that
this letter (with your personal details removed) and enclosed documents may be published
on the Department’s website.
Nāku noa, nā
Rachael Jordan
Principal Advisor, Regulatory Services
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
National Office, 18-22 Manners Street, PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143
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