Andrew M
Conservation House 18 Manners Street
Wellington 6011
fyi-request-31131-
doc.govt.nz
[email address]
Ref:
OIAD-5292
11 August 2025
Tēnā koe Andrew
Thank you for your request to the Department of Conservation (DOC), received on 29 May
2025, in which you asked for:
1. Any document, permit, or authorisation issued by the Department of Conservation that
allows Turoa to operate sightseeing lifts at Turoa outside the 1 June to 30 November
concession period.
2. Any correspondence (emails, letters, meeting notes, or internal memos) held by the
Department of Conservation that relate to the 2025 Turoa season dates, including any
discussions or decisions about proposed or approved sightseeing operations outside the
usual concession dates.
We have considered your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA).
On 30 June 2025, we extended the timeframe to respond to your request to 11 August 2025, as
it required extensive consultation and a review of a large volume necessitated a search through
a large volume of information. This meant a proper response could not reasonably be provided
within the original timeframe.
In response to both parts of your request, I have decided to release the relevant parts of the
documents listed in the attached document schedule, subject to information being withheld
under one or more of the following sections of the OIA, as applicable:
• personal information, under section 9(2)(a) – to protect the privacy of natural persons,
including deceased people,
• commercially sensitive information, under section 9(2)(b)(i ) – to protect the commercial
position of the person who supplied the information, or who is the subject of the
information,
• information provided in confidence, under section 9(2)(ba)(i) – to protect information
where release would prejudice the ongoing supply of similar information.
• free and frank expression under section 9(2)(g)(i) – to maintain the effective conduct of
public affairs,
• advice subject to legal privilege, under section 9(2)(h) - to maintain legal professional
privilege,
In making my decision, I have considered the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of the
OIA and determined there are no public interests that outweigh the grounds for withholding.
In addition, some information has been removed where it is not within the scope of your request,
for example where information relates to other Mt Ruapehu ski field concession variations.
You are entitled to seek an investigation and review of my decision by writing to an
Ombudsman as provided by section 28(3) of the OIA.
Please note that this letter (with your personal details removed) and attached documents may
be published on DOC’s website.
Nāku noa, nā
Phil ippa Fox
Director Regulatory Authorisations
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
2
Document schedule
Item
Date
Document description
Decision
1
10 July 2024 – Email correspondence in scope
Released in part
28 May 2025
2
12 Sept 2024
Memo: Pure Turoa Limited concession
Released in part
109883-SKI - year-round use of lifts - variation
process
3
1 Oct 2024
Meeting Notes: Pure Tūroa Variations meeting Released in part
notes, Tuesday 1 October 2024
4
1 Oct 2024
Letter: Summer use of ski field pre application
Released in full
variation advice
5
10 Oct 2024
Concession application form 1a
Released in part
6
10 Oct 2024
Concession application form 7a
Released in part
7
10 Oct 2024
Images:
Released in full
• Base Area Buildings
• Giant Return Station and Café
• Highnoon Drive Building
• Highnoon Return Station
11
10 Oct 2024
Compliance Certificate (Location) – Turoa Ski
Released in part
Area, 10 May 2024
12
10 Oct 2024
Image: Movenpick Return Station
Released in full
13
10 Oct 2024
Compliance Certificate (Stationary Container
Released in part
System) – Turoa Ski Area (Movenpick Diesel
Tank), 10 May 2024
14
10 Oct 2024
Compliance Certificate (Stationary Container
Released in part
System) – Turoa Ski Area (Above Ground
Tank), 10 May 2024
15
10 Oct 2024
Image: Snowflake Giant Drive Armco Toilets
Released in full
Parklane Return
16
10 Oct 2024
Letters, dated 8 October 2024:
Released in part
• Summer Operations - Nga Tangata Tiaki
• Summer Operations - Ngati Haua
• Summer Operations - Ngati Rangi
• Summer Operations – Uenuku
20
18 Dec 2024
Pure Turoa limited letter to DOC, dated 18
Released in part
December 2024
21
20 Dec 2024
DOC response letter to Pure Turoa limited,
Released in part
dated 20 December 2024
22
20 Dec 2024
Ngāti Rangi response letter to DOC, dated 20
Released in part
December 2024
23
27 Jan 2025
Excerpt: Status Report to the Minister of
Released in part
Conservation, Week beginning 27 January
2025
3
22
28 May 2025
DOC letter to Pure Turoa limited, dated 28 May Released in part
2025
23
28 May 2025
Concessions Contract Variation Pure Tūroa
Released in part
Limited - [109883-SKI] - DOC-7786969
24
23 May 2025
Standard Recommendations and Decision
Released in part
Report – summer use – Pure Tūroa Limited –
[109883-SKI] - DOC-7786971
4
