Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries:
I first went skiing at Whakapapa around the age of 8. My parents could both ski, but weren't hardcore skiers. Luckily, they thought an annual ski trip and break from the farm in winter was a good idea. My siblings and I are so grateful for that early introduction to the mountains – a relationship that has developed, in different ways, for each of us over the years.
My first real job as a photographer was at Whakapapa. A good friend, Kenny Mutton, was running the photography team up there and asked me to join. It was a no-brainer. We photographed the punters on the sunny days and rode the powder when the storms rolled in. It was a blissful existence.
During those years I scoured the mountain with a group of like-minded skiers and snowboarders. We fell in love with every part of it. Mt Ruapehu had become a close friend to all of us and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited, which made it all possible, like family. A favourite place of mine is the Pinnacles. It's the remnants of a crater wall – a steep icy clutch of rocks and gullies that always hold the best snow. If you cast your eyes up to the Pinnacles you can often see the head of the chief – protruding out of the snow with his hair in a top-knot. It is said he resides over the Central Plateau. We always had respect for him. And this maunga.
The thing is RAL was not-for-profit so the money people spent on lift tickets and in the bars went back into the skifield. For me it felt like every season the winter experience at Whakapapa improved. We dreamed of the day it sprawled around to Turoa or even Tukino on the eastern side. The lifts just kept getting better and the terrain more accessible ... and some still and always a solid hour's hike – out of reach of most – like the Pinnacles.
Well these past few years have been harsh on the skifields of Ruapehu. A massive expansion was quickly followed by two years of Covid disruption and then some of the leanest snow years we've ever seen.
The dominoes fell heavily and RAL was forced into voluntary administration.
Today, June 20, the community and stakeholders will vote to determine the outcome of the insolvency process for RAL. The directors of the company have also pre-emptively filed to liquidate the company on 21 June if the proposed Deed Of Company Arrangement doesn't pass and the company is handed back to them. As it stands, the community proposed DOCA is the only option that could avoid liquidation of the Mt Ruapehu skifields that have run for almost 70 years as a community-owned non-profit.
The concerning part here is that the Government is backing private bidders with the community-owned and built skifields being offered for $1 each. The success of such a bid could change the culture of Mt Ruapehu forever.
The DOCA proposal offers the following advantages over liquidation: it keeps the skifields in community ownership with profits being invested back into the skifield assets and it maintains the DoC Operating Concessions which respects Iwi and their guardianship over Mt Ruapehu. It is a back-to-basics approach focused on keeping Mt Ruapehu as a good, honest, locals mountain for all New Zealanders.
You can follow this developing story right here at the Save Mt Ruapehu website.
For me it feels like one of my family members is being held to ransom – it represents a part of my journey – Mt Ruapehu gave me more than I could have ever dreamed of. Let's hope we have a vote for all New Zealanders today.
Sampai jumpa lagi ... Derek
PS Next stop: Bali, Indonesia. Your weekly dose of stoke might be a little erratic for the next few weeks as we explore Indonesia with the family. The gallery is now closed until July 20, but you can still order online ... yay, love it when technology works.
Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries: