Kia ora,      

It is with great disappointment that we have had to cancel the North Island Primary & Secondary School Snowboard Competition for what is now the fourth successive year.  

As you will be aware, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) as we know it has had some serious financial issues and has resulted in liquidators being appointed.  The government has provided a loan to allow them to operate this season.   We had been holding out hoping a new owner might eventuate and be able to negotiate an event for 2023.

Much of our initial planning had been done regarding dates and sanctioning etc. Our deadline for a decision had been this week, however, following discussions with the liquidators regarding time frames there is no likelihood of a sale to new owners prior to the end of this season.

Also after questioning RAL regarding their ability to be able to offer the resources necessary for us to run a successful safe event in the time period we are looking at and under their staffing/resourcing constraints, the answer was no.

I would like to thank those who have already put a great deal of time and effort into getting us to this stage at least.  We operate under a charitable trust (The Laurenson Trust), so my thanks to fellow Trustees for their efforts, Bevan Thompson from Bevanz Event Services in Taupo, who has co-ordinated all the Health and safety aspects and John Laurenson, Chair of the Trust, who has been communicating with RAL and Liquidators, PWC. With regards costs, we have not accepted any entry payments due to the uncertainty and will cover any costs from within the Trust,

Looking ahead, I am confident that NIPS & NISSSC Snowboard Competition will continue.  It was in 1997 when we ran our first competition which started with a partnership between Ruapehu College, RAL and the Ohakune township. Whilst we have had ever increasing difficulties in getting the event organised in recent years, I  sensed a willingness to fully support us when discussing with potential Turoa bidders.  Several of their team members had strong links with NISSSC in the past. 

Malcolm Haig, 
Organiser     
NIPS & NISSSC Snowboard comp & Waikato Secondary Schools Ski & Board comp  Trustee – Laurenson Trust

Article added: Monday 24 July 2023