Newshub can reveal the Minister of Regional Development Kiri Allan is attending an emergency meeting tonight with aggrieved hapū ahead of a key decision on the future of Ruapehu's ski fields.
On Monday, Cabinet is expected to decide on a proposal from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's (MBIE) regional development unit Kānoa to split the mountain and have a private group run Whakapapa, and another bidder run Tūroa.
However representatives of around a dozen hapū, who reside at the foot of the maunga, are fed up at what they're calling backroom deals and a lack of consultation.
They have warned they may consider a high court injunction if MBIE pushes ahead.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) went into voluntary administration last October owing $45 million.
Local businesses are desperate to have the ski fields open for this winter to bring much-needed cash in.
MBIE's proposal will see two companies take over one skifield each.
Newshub revealed last month that Pure Tūroa, a company backed by developer Cam Robertson, is the front-runner to take over that skifield.
Whakapapa is tipped to go to a South Island private equity firm run by Tom Elworthy with local interests including RAL's former CEO.
But lifepass holders and a number of iwi and hapū are furious over this and say MBIE, a creditor themselves, has hijacked the process, choosing the two preferred bidders without consultation.
The Ruapehu Skifields Stakeholders Association, which has the support of many lifepass holders, is proposing to be a "caretaker" for RAL with new directors, getting the season underway until a long-term plan can be worked out "with all parties consulted".
Minister Allan says she's spent a lot of time - even in the last few days - talking to concerned groups. Newshub understands she is meeting hapū representatives from Ngāti Hikairo and Patutokotoko on Sunday night, although she wouldn't confirm this.
In a statement to Newshub, Allan said: "The Government is working on the best outcome that would enable ski fields to open this winter. We're doing everything in our power to get this done. I understand that Government agencies have been in discussions with other creditors and stakeholders, including Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangi and Ngāti Uenuku, Ngāti Haua, as well as the voluntary administrators of RAL, throughout this process."
On June 20 there will be a watershed meeting of creditors where lifepass holders, stakeholders and bondholders will vote on the future of the skifield. They say without all of the details it is very difficult.
The 14,000 lifepass holders are theoretically the biggest creditor which could see them veto MBIE's two preferred bids.
However DoC is considering lodging a claim against RAL over the $100 million cost to remove infrastructure off the mountain which would then make them the largest creditor.
The ski fields operate under concessions from the Department of Conservation (DoC), and any new owners would require these to be transferred across.
DoC does have an obligation to consult with mana whenua over the concessions. Newshub has obtained a leaked document from DoC to iwi dated May 25, showing it is urging iwi to consider concessions that would pave the way for the two preferred bidders to take over to operate the ski field this coming season.
Given that DoC acknowledges "it is a tight timeframe and we do not yet have all the information about the proposals", the tone of the letter seems like MBIE's proposal may just be a done deal.
