Local woman’s Anzac Day Alumni honour P3 coverage P5 PETROL TRIMMER 32cc TRADE 2-Stroke QUALITY This Includes: Week $199 Grass and Brush cutting heads Was $249 7003046AR Ruapehu Press 52 Bell Road. Ph:895-8582 Wednesday, April 27, 2016 ruapehupress.co.nz The chairlifts at Whakapapa skifield are currently undergoing a $7.5m upgrade. The new and improved chairlifts are expected to be open by the start of ski season. Whakapapa chairlift investment STEPHANIE RANGI Construction of the new exciting to see it finally come to with the Department of Conser- ease of loading for snow boarders chairlift, which replaces the Cen- fruition,’’ RAL chief executive, vation – something RAL achieved and foot passengers and less de- A $7.5 million off-season upgrade tennial and Rockgarden Chairlifts Dave Mazey, said. for Whakapapa in December last icing time due to the chairs being on Mt Ruapehu’s chairlifts should at Whakapapa, has been While Whakapapa is the only year. stored in a building overnight,’’ mean a faster, more comfortable underway since late December ski field on the receiving end of Mazey said hopes are high the he said. ride for skiiers. and is due to open to the public on the upgrade at the moment, there upgrade will boost numbers over ‘‘There will also be additional Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), July 2. are plans in motion for Turoa. the ski season as the new chairlift open days due to the lift being operator of Whakapapa and The lift will transport 2,800 ‘‘We have a program of lift will give users a better experi- able to operate in stronger winds, Turoa skifields is spending about people per hour, compared with upgrades we will be ence. where in the past opening would $7.5m on a new chairlift, making 1,900 per hour from the Centen- implementing over the next 10-15 ‘‘The new chairlift will provide have been delayed or the moun- it their biggest single investment nial and Rockgarden chairlifts years,’’ Mazey said. numerous enhancements to the tain closed. In general, there will in lift infrastructure since the combined. ‘‘It’s an ongoing process.’’ customer experience, with be more time for skiing.’’ installation of the High Noon ‘‘Upgrading these lifts has been Involved in that process is shorter queuing times, comfort- The season is scheduled to Express at Turoa Ski Area in 2007. in our planning for years so it’s so resolving and achieving licences able ride with cushioned seats, open on 2 July. 7002953AB 2 RUAPEHU PRESS, APRIL 27, 2016 stuff.co.nz YOUR PAPER, YOUR PLACE did you know... The lowest point in New Zealand is the Taieri Plains, 1. DOG DAY just south of Dunedin – two FROM metres below sea level. April 30 SPCA Dog Agility Fun Day THE Manunui Reserve (in front of EDITOR caravan park) From 9.30am. 2. BAND ast week we highlighted April 30 Daughters of Ally Manunui the digital enhancements Club 8pm til Late Presold Tickets $10 CONTENTS L at Taumarunui’s Regent Door Sales $15 Conversations ...............................................P4 Cinema – this week it is 1 Dr Libby ............................................................. P6 the new developments up at 3. GUEST SPEAKER Food...................................................................... P8 Whakapapa. May 6 Ruapehu Federated Farmers The skifield has a new chairlift Guest Speaker. Graeme Milne. From for the new season following a 7pm. $30.00 $7.5million project. Why is this exciting? – Because 4. SOCCER the project will provide more May 7 Taumarunui Junior Soccer. skiing for more people because of 11.30am till 1pm Cherry Grove the bigger capacity and allow to do list Domain, Taumarunui This newspaper is Whakapapa to be open on more 2 3 subject to NZ Press days – thanks to the higher wind 5. COMEDY Council procedures. loading. May 21 Comedy and Auction night. A complaint must first What is good for the skifield is Featuring New Zealand’s top be directed in writing, within one month of good for the locals. comedians. Taumarunui & Rugby publication, to the editor’s email address. The winter boost provided to Sports Club 6:30 pm General If not satisfied with the response, the the Ruapehu economy is pretty admission $45, V.I.P $65 complaint may be referred to the obvious to anyone with a business Press Council. PO Box 10-879, on the road to the mountain. The Terrace, Wellington 6143. It is good to be able to celebrate Or use the online complaint form at www.presscouncil.org.nz Please our successes and the unique and 4 5 include copies of the article and all exciting diversity that makes up correspondence with the publication. our region’s economy. After a bit of a lengthy hiatus from skiing, I’m pretty keen to get Contact us Editor: Daniel Hutchinson phone: 07 376 2258, [email protected] News: Stephanie Rangi, reporter phone: 07 back up the mountain myself this 895 5841, [email protected] Advertising/sales: Linda Mander, Team Leader phone: 07 895 5841, year. [email protected], Area Manager: Antonio Ganz, [email protected] Advertising feature writer: Have a good week. Robert Steven phone: 07 376 2260, [email protected] Classifieds and administration: Karen Begg, 07 895 Daniel Hutchinson 5841 FACEBOOK: facebook.com/RuapehuPress WEBSITE: ruapehupress.co.nz Postal address: PO Box 190, Taumarunui Address: 29 Hakiaha St LOOKING FOR A DENTIST? DOCTORS & PHARMACY Open now at Please ring your own GP for Taumarunui Hospital after hour services or • Free WINZ quotes Phone 111 in emergencies • Maximum $35 extractions for Community Service Card Holders - Unichem Clayton & Hayes Pharmacy conditions apply Sat 9.30am – 12.30pm • Free dentistry for 13-17 yr olds - Accepting new enrolments now Ph (07) 895 7326 2453519AA Taumarunui Dental Surgery The Church @ Taumarunui Taumarunui Hospital, EVENTS FROM 25TH APRIL 2016 Kururau Road,Taumarunui ANGLICAN CATHOLIC CHRIST CHURCH Parish of the Immaculate Conception 0800 688 123 Phone : 896 8116 Crn of North/High Streets, Rangaroa Phone: 896-8030 Sunday 1 May 2016 SUBSCRIBE New Mass Times www.ruraldental.co.nz 7012789AA 10.00am Service Monday & Saturday Wednesday 4 May 2016 both day - 9am AND 12:15 Mid-day communion Tuesday - 5.30pm God’s Peace be with you Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday - 9.30am SEVENTH-DAY Friday - 12.15pm SAVE ADVENTIST Father lawrie Bishop 72 Taupo Road ST PAUL’S UP TO All Welcome CO-OPERATING Sat. 10am Bible Study Sunday 24 April, 10.00am Robyn Gram 34% 11.30 Divine Service Guest Speaker on ANZAC theme Helihuntnfish in association with Central Helicopters Ltd Wed. night Study Group Ray Wright Phone 8968754 Contact Bob Smith 07 8955962 BAPTIST CHURCH • Liquid Fertiliser 250 Taupo Road • Scrub GOSPEL CHAPEL Praise & Worship • Scrub 10am Sunday Service • Thistles Golf Rd 10am Thursdays 9.30am Worship and Ministry “mainly music” • Blackberry Contact 896 6618 for little ones & their care givers Pastor lan Robertson • Fire Lighting CONNECTIONS CHURCH Ph 8958122 • Chemical Topping (ACTS CHURCHES NZ) Find us on Facebook! Sunday Family Services [email protected] • Seeding 10am ST SAVIOUR’S MAORI • Fence Lines Sunday Night Services ANGLICAN CHURCH • Hunting & Fishing Trips 5.00pm Miro St, Manunui Weekly Sunday Service at 10:00am •• Gps Guided All Welcome Contact Rev. Canon Bill Tuhiwai Enquiries to : 895-3545 Phone: 07 878 6836/027 210 9164 Contact Phil Janssen Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty Taumarunui 07 896 6964 | Taupo Base 07 378 5314 www.mags4gifts.co.nz hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:5 7120012AA 7066162BZ 0274 614 180 | www.helihuntnfish.co.nz stuff.co.nz APRIL 27, 2016, RUAPEHU PRESS 3 Introducing YOUR NEW Media Sales THREE BEDROOMS Consultant It was with sadness that we recently said goodbye to Linda Mander. I am looking forward to bumping into her out and about in the 194 Golf Road .........$210 community in the future. I would like to introduce myself as your new contact for the Ruapehu Press and also for all Fairfax Media products including both print and digital. I have worked for Fairfax for over four years based out of Cambridge. I am now looking forward to meeting everyone in my new area and am pleased to have met FOUR BEDROOMS: some of you already. I have a strong rural background with 25+ years' dairy farming experience with my husband, we have a few acres with sheep, beef and chookies and I have a history connected with horses; pleasure, competition and racing. 70 Makere Street .....$220 I hope I can bring experience 2 Takapuna Street and professionalism to my Traci Houpapa is well known in the Taumarunui community. Just recently, the new role. accomplished business woman received a Massey University Alumni award. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any enquiries regarding advertising (Kakahi) .................. $240 in any of our products. University honours 7002974AO Samantha Cutler Ruapehu Offi ce: 07 895 5841 Mob: 027 497 9416 Email: samantha.cutler@ fairfaxmedia.co.nz for local woman It’s not Sunday without it. STEPHANIE RANGI 2013 the New Zealand Listener named her one of the top 10 7228272AB Her dedication and commitment influencers in New Zealand. to her work has led her to some great More recently, in 2014 she won achievements. the Women of the Influence Board The latest; being awarded a and Management Award and was Massey University Distinguished named in amongst the top three most Alumni Service award. influential people in New Zealand Traci Houpapa said she was agribusiness by Rural News. • FOR ALL YOUR ‘‘floored’’ when she heard she had Last year, Westpac identified her been selected for the award. as one of New Zealand’s Women ‘‘I was honoured.