The Government is seeking proposals to restore and operate the historic Chateau Tongariro and its associated buildings.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced today the Government was requesting proposals on the run-down Chateau’s restoration and future operation.

Potaka said “experienced operators” had the opportunity to put forward plans that recognised the heritage and significance of the Chateau in the heart of Tongariro National Park.

He said interested parties must also recognise the “cultural importance of Tongariro National Park” in their plans.

“The Chateau is a landmark many New Zealanders have visited for holidays to school trips and international visitors experiencing Tongariro for the first time,” Potaka said.

Restoring the 97-year-old building would help ensure the area continued to attract visitors, while supporting local businesses and tourism in the wider region, he said.

“We are looking for proposals that balance commercial viability with conservation values, respect for mana whenua aspirations and the unique character of Tongariro National Park.”

The Chateau was closed in February 2023 because of seismic issues and it has since been in the hands of the Department of Conservation.

A 15,000-signature petition demanding action on Chateau Tongariro was presented to Parliament last September.

In February, the Government considered steps to do up the Chateau, while confirming demolition remained an option.

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton told the Chronicle he was grateful the project was still a talking point and that “baby steps” were being made with the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

“At one stage, they were talking about pulling it down but it is obvious to us that the Government are seriously considering saving the Chateau – it is a matter of making sure there is a platform for that to happen,” Kirton said.

Kirton said there likely needed to be changes to the Conservation Act to enable potential investors to step forward.

“We know that there are people out there, and it won’t be a taxpayer expense, it will be their own balance sheet that will revitalise the building,” he said.

“What we are trying to do is put those two parts of the puzzle together and get on with the job.”

Since the petition was submitted, progress had become more frequent, Kirton said.

“What it demonstrates is that it is a nationwide interest, not just a Ruapehu District issue,” he said.

“It gained a lot of support through the petition so that gave us confidence that we have community and nationwide support.

“I think the Government are stepping up now, on that basis; it is justifiable to invest in this whole project.

“We are not talking about using public money, at least it is not essential, we have got investors prepared to build it with their own resources.”

Kirton wanted the Government to move forward with the process as soon as possible.

“It is not a matter of ‘should we do it?’, it is a matter of ‘when we do it’,” he said.

Rangitīkei MP Suze Redmayne said the call for proposals was an important step towards securing the future of one of the region’s most recognised landmarks.

“Seeing progress toward restoring the building is positive for the local community and for the wider tourism and hospitality sector that relies on visitors to the region,” Redmayne said.

“The goal is to see this historic building restored in a way that protects its heritage while ensuring it continues to support tourism, jobs and opportunities across the region.”

The RFP process will close on April 20.

Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.