Andreas Hefti

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 548, 9 August 1994, Page 2 (Supplement)

Andreas Hefti

A well-known former Waimarino identity, Andreas Hefti, passed away at his home in Switzerland recently. He was 69. Andreas is best remembered by many for his pioneering efforts in promoting tourism in the Waimarino. His campaign in 1983 to promote the Waimarino both in this country and overseas through his Information Office in Clyde Street, Ohakune, earned the respect of the local community. Through his business Andreas saw himself as a coordinator of various promotional activities that brought visitors to the area through his Ohakune-based office. Andreas believed that the potential for developing the town as a year-round tourist resort was enormous, and went to great lengths to promote the area. He arrived in the Waimarino from Leysin, Switzerland, in 1 977 during the construction of the then Turoa Ski Field and in 1978 took up the position of mountain manager, at the same time becoming Turoa' s first ski school director. Before that he had been the manager of the Leysin Tourist Board, providing information and taking accommodation bookings for visitors to the town - a job very similar to the one he adopted in Ohakune. A keen sportsman, Andreas was the coach of the Swiss Olympic Ski Team for many years and also coached tennis in Switzerland during the summer months. His Ohakune-based 'Sports Club 2000' venture was an attempt at creating a social and competitive centre for local people, as well as a drop-in venue for adult and junior sports enthusiasts. Among those sports-related ventures he became involved with was the sale of snowboards and ski wear under his brand name 'Crazy Banana' to various local businesses, when snowboarding was in its infancy and still relatively unknown in this country. Although possessed with a powerful business sense, not all of his European innovations that he brought into the region found favour with the local community. He was coordinator of the New Zealand Winter Games in 1991 and also tried to set up a recreational ski club for all New Zealand skiers but was unsuccessful. He married local woman Y vonne Boy le in 1 989, and the husband and wife team continued to set trends. Y vonne was a strong supporter of Andreas and his efforts to promote Ohakune. He also managed the Albany artifical ski slope for a period of time, putting his vast experience as a trainer/ coach to good use by teaching others. He continued to enjoy recreational skiing in Switzerland and took to the slopes whenever possible. Andreas had until recently managed a restaurant in his home town in Switzerland and at the time of his death was making plans to return to New Zealand to live. He and Yvonne and their two year old daughter Chontelle had planned to take up residence in Wanganui, close to Yvonne' s parents Barrie and Glenda.