Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton has thanked the Government for its pledge of $3.5 million over five years to restore more than 3000 hectares of Tongariro National Park destroyed by two major fires last year.
The funding – drawn from the International Visitor Levy (IVL) – is aimed at protecting fragile native regeneration and safeguarding the Ruapehu district economy, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said.
Kirton said the funding to back recovery efforts was a meaningful, long-term investment in Ruapehu and regional tourism.
“Tongariro is not only a Dual World Heritage site of immense cultural and natural significance – it is a cornerstone of the tourism economy for Ruapehu and the wider region,” he said.
Kirton said the benefits of the funding would extend beyond the park boundaries.
“This investment supports local jobs, businesses and communities both directly and indirectly,” he said.
“Directly, through employment created by restoration work on the ground. Indirectly, through the ripple effect of that investment flowing to local businesses and communities that rely on a strong visitor economy.”
Kirton said using IVL funding for the project was particularly appropriate.
“The IVL ensures visitor revenue is reinvested into the very places that sustain our tourism economy and local livelihoods.
“Protecting and restoring Tongariro National Park is not just about ecology – it’s about investing in our whenua, safeguarding jobs, backing our communities, and securing Ruapehu’s long-term future,” Kirton said.
The Conservation Minister said the funding would cover weed control, pest management – including deer control – and biodiversity monitoring to ensure native plants now emerging from the charred landscape are not overwhelmed.
Local iwi Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro is working alongside the Department of Conservation to implement Maunga Ora, a restoration plan combining scientific methods with tikanga and mātauranga Māori.
Awa FM – Te Reo Irirangi o Whanganui
For more of our people, our stories, our way, click News or follow us on Facebook.
