Māori with spiritual ties to Mount Ruapehu are not ruling out a high court injunction that would stop a controversial plan for the future of the mountain.
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 have two entities take on the running of the mountain's two ski fields.
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've revealed to Newshub the latest letter they're sending to the Prime Minister and his Conservation Minister, Regional Development, Economic Development, and Treaty of Waitangi ministers.
"We are the kaitiaki, we've been left out of all dialogue. We need to be all at the table talking together, we need a voice," said Shane Isherwood, Ngāti Hikairo spokesperson.
Representatives of the Ruapehu/Whanganui hapū grouping Patutokotoko have also signed the letter, claiming emails to ministers previously have gone unanswered.
"We don't want to look like iwi doing the 'hard done by' thing, but this is a Crown process that hasn't been adhered to," said Patutokotoko spokesperson Kura Wanikau.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) went into voluntary administration last October owing $45 million.
Four groups have been jostling to run the mountain, but iwi say MBIE, a creditor themselves, has hijacked the process, choosing two preferred bidders without consulting.
Cabinet will be asked to sign off on them on Monday.
"We'd like consultation as to what's going on. If you own the house you want to know what tenants you are putting in there. That is the situation we are in, we own the house," said Wanikau.
Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan in a statement told Newshub the Government is "working on the best outcome that would enable the ski fields to open this winter".
"We're doing everything in our power to get this done. Ultimately, a successful bid will be in the hands of the voluntary administrator, that is not an outcome the Government can control."
She anticipated she "will be having discussions with various parties over the course of the next few days to understand their critical concerns".
Newshub revealed last month that Pure Turoa, 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.
PWC voluntary administrator John Fisk said he will release his report next Tuesday, with a watershed meeting of creditors to vote on resolutions on June 20.
PWC will host public meetings in Auckland, Wellington and Ohakune, with many of Ruapehu's 14,000 lifepass holders expected to attend in person or online that day.
But a stalemate is brewing.
"What if whoever is decided on, they still have to apply for a concession? In doing that they still have to talk to hapū, what if the hapū around the maunga say no, what happens then? Why haven't they just talked to us in the first place?" asked Isherwood.
Wanikau told Newshub said hapū could seek a high court injunction before the June 20 watershed meeting of creditors.
"We are an important voice, we are a force to be reckoned with now," agreed Isherwood.
Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton told Newshub "we can't afford not to have the ski fields open this season, the region is bleeding and time is of the essence".
The Ruapehu Ski Fields Stakeholders group, the other big contender keen to take over from RAL, this week joined forces with the other unsuccessful bidder, Auckland businessman John Sandford.
They have issued a Deed of Company Arrangement and are asking the 14,000 lifepass holders to back it at the June 20 meeting of creditors.
"We believe this is the only way to move forward. We would like to keep the existing RAL framework in place with temporary directors and refinancing- this will give us time to consult," said RSSA spokesperson Jason Platt.
He said like iwi, they are staggered at "the lack of transparency and consultation" by MBIE and its regional development unit Kānoa which "is meant to be looking after the interests of the region".
The Lifepass holder group has a combined worth of $32 million, making them the biggest creditors and could see them veto MBIE's two preferred bids.
But Newshub understands the Department of Conservation, also a creditor, is considering lodging a claim against the insolvent Ruapehu Alpine Lifts over the $100 million cost to remove infrastructure off the mountain if a resolution cannot be found.
That would make it the biggest creditor.
The stoush is ramping up as June 20 approaches, but more than anything the Crown, local businesses and stakeholders on both sides of the debate want to see Turoa and Whakapapa open.
"We are talking a thousand-odd jobs. The whole region relies on that so hopefully we can come to a resolution," said Isherwood.
