Businesses pay for summer hikes

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 312, 7 November 1989, Page 1

Businesses pay for summer hikes

The Ohakune based Summer Nature Programme is to be boosted by local businesses this year and will run for an extra week. Last year the programme was cut back because of lack of funds for the Department of Conservation, but this year, thanks to local businesses, the programme is back to running from 27 December to 14 January. Ohakune New World is sponsoring one extra staff member for the programme, at a cost of just over $1000, with most other businesses contributing towards another

staff member's wages of $1000. Bea Barnes of Kunikraft and Bob Norling of Ohakune TV and Electrical called on businesses for contributions and said almost all approached had said yes. Conservation Officer Rob McCallum said it was purely because of the support of the Ohakune business people that the programme could be expanded to the summer 1987 level. He said with staff numbers at the Ohakune Ranger Station cut back it would be impossible to run the programme without extras. With the added staff up to 60 people could join in some of the guided

walks. He said he is also still keen to hear from volunteers who would like to help out on the programme. As for the children's programme, Mr McCallum said this was not to run due to ^lack of DoC funds. He said if someone were interested in running a children's programme DoC would look at making the ranger station and facilities available. Alan Murdie of Ohakune New World said discussions were underway with a possible sponsor for a guided walk on Ruapehu on Auckland Anniversary day. He said the sponsorship deal is yet to be finalised.