Central Government Urged to Commit to Chateau Tongariro Hotel Restoration
Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton is calling on central government to commit to restoring the Category 1 heritage-listed Chateau Tongariro Hotel, which has remained a national priority due to its significant cultural and economic value.
The hotel will mark its centenary in three years, and despite numerous efforts to save it, demolition remains an option. However, Kirton argues that this would be a devastating loss for the country, as the Chateau is part of New Zealand's shared story and holds immense personal significance for many people.
Kirton pointed out that the Save the Chateau Parliamentary Petition gathered over 16,000 signatures in less than three months, demonstrating strong public support. He also mentioned that since the petition closed, he has received numerous calls from individuals asking how they can help secure the hotel's future.
The Manawatū-Whanganui Mayoral Forum has written to the Prime Minister supporting full restoration of the Chateau and revitalisation of Whakapapa Village. The Department of Conservation's (DoC) own ministerial briefing estimates that reopening the Chateau could generate $56 million in regional economic benefits over 60 years, alongside other regional benefits and job creation.
Kirton emphasized that restoration and iwi aspirations do not need to be mutually exclusive, as there is an opportunity to work together on a future that balances heritage protection, Treaty partnership, cultural aspirations, and economic development. He also noted that successive governments have invested millions of dollars in regional development, including projects led by iwi and hapū.