The Whakapapa man

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 454, 22 September 1992, Page 15 (Supplement)

The Whakapapa man

Dave Mazey is well qualified to be Whakapapa' s General Manager - he's been skiing since he was five years old. He moved to the Tongariro area in 1961, living and working in the park until 1972. He joined Ruapehu Alpine Lifts after working for the Department of Conservation for four years as senior ranger and assistant chief ranger for the Park. In the ten years prior to that he worked as a ranger for the then Lands and Survey Department. He spent three years studying a bachelor of science in maths at univer-

profile sity, didn't graduate but later completed a diploma in parks and recreation at Lincoln university while he was working for DoC. Dave joined Ruapehu Alpine Lifts in 1986, taking over from the previous manager who was retiring. "I have never enjoyed a job like I have this one," he said. "It's a very stimulating environment and I work with some incredibly proficient and competant people." As RAL' general man-

ager Mr Mazey has travelled overseas several times looking at skifields in Europe and the United States. He and his wife also spent time during the mid 70s working on a skifield in British Colombia. He's a keen sailor and casually plays golf and squash. Mr Mazey and his wife moved to Turangi last Christmas* after living in Ohakune for the past five years. He said Mt. Ruapehu comes into its own in the

spring when the weather settles down and the number of peopledrops off. "This year there's going to be some of the best spring skiing this mountain has ever seen," he said.