Visitor Levy Falls Short for Ruapehu | Auckland News

Ruapehu’s mayor Weston Kirton applauds the new visitor levy as a step forward—but warns it’s woefully inadequate. With 1.5 million tourists annually and just 8,000 ratepayers footing the bill, critical infrastructure like water, roads, and waste systems are buckling under pressure. A recent pipe break in Ohakune during ski season exposed the district’s dire financial strain—and they can’t even afford to upgrade their water plant. Meanwhile, the reopening of the Chateau Tongariro hotel is seen as vital for tourism recovery, but Kirton insists deeper, sustainable funding solutions are urgently needed to balance tourist impact with local needs.

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