A large avalanche set off with explosives has damaged a chairlift at Mt Ruapehu's ski fields.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts staff triggered the avalanche at about 8.30 this morning near the mountain summit as part of normal daily operations to clear the mountain of dangerous snow packs.
This morning's avalanche flowed through a glacial zone known as Gliding Gladys before hitting the High Noon Express chairlift, where engineers were now working to assess the extent of the damage.
No-one was injured and all RAL staff have been accounted for, the ski field said in a statement.