Whakapapa display re-opened

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 318, 19 December 1989, Page 5 (Supplement)

Whakapapa display re-opened

A major upgrade of the auditorium at the Whakapapa Visitor Centre, Tongariro National Park has just been completed.

A new set of displays and a new audio-visual show telling the volcanic, ecological and human history of the Park were opened to the public last Friday. One hundred people, including most local Department of Conservation staff attended the opening at ihe Visitor Centre. Representatives of the Ruapehu District Council, local information offices and tourism interests also attended. The recently completed project is the second stage the complete upgrading project begun at the Visitor Centre in 1987, the Park's Centennial year. The first stage was opened on centennial

day and consisted of an upgraded reception area, publications and orientation display and a Maori style entrance portraying the Maori perspective on the Park. It has cost the Department $100,000, which staff say reflects the Department's continuing commitment to visitor needs and the local tourism industry. The remaining stage of the overall project has been on hold due to lack of funds, but planning is underway for its completion. The Department welcomes donations toward this final stage. Paul Green, Regional Conservator for the Department of Conservation's new Ton-

gariro/Taupo Conservancy spoke about the Department's nearly completed restructuring process, expressing relief that it was coming to an end. He introduced the recently appointed team of second tier managers who are responsible for various aspects of the Department's functions in the Conservancy. Simon Noble, who co-ordinated the construction project and designed the displays in conjunction with the Department's Nelsonbased display specialists, spoke of the Visitor Centre being fully functional again after a long period of reduced effectiveness. The formal opening was followed by afternoon tea in the display area itself and an op-

portunity to view the 14 minute audio-visual show and the displays. The audio-visual show makes use of models as well as slides and mu-' sic. It demonstrates the proccss of vulcanism that are responsible for the major landscape features of Tongariro National Park. The displays follow| on from the audio-vi-sual show explaining the geology, ecology and htman history of the Patk. They emphasis the sacredness of the mountains to both Maori and European New Zealanders. The dynamic nature of the Park's landforms and lifeforms. The Whakapapa Visitor Centre is the major gateway to Tongariro National Park and a major information centre in the Taupo Tongariro area. It is operated 7 days a week by the Department of Conservation.