Local investment helps secure $10 million Government loan for Whakapapa gondola

A new high-speed gondola on Whakapapa has created an additional $50 million per annum in visitor expenditure that will ripple through the New Zealand economy. Photo / File

A new high-speed gondola on Whakapapa has created an additional $50 million per annum in visitor expenditure that will ripple through the New Zealand economy.

Ruapehu District Council has supported the project with $500,000 loan along with $1m from Taupo District Council and additional financial support from Ngati Tuwharetoa and other investors.

The financial commitment from local government and iwi to the project was a critical element in gaining central government's $10m investment in the project.

Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron said Ruapehu's financial contribution might be considered small in the scale of things.

"But like the other co-investment money we have received for tourism infrastructure it was very important for Government to see that there was a local share contribution."

"Just as significant to gaining Government investment was that regional councils and iwi are united and working cooperatively in support of the project," he said.

The council had thought "long and hard" about whether to make the loan, he said.
"But we got it across the line so good for us.''