DoC shuts out ski school

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 253, 2 August 1988, Page 1

DoC shuts out ski school

National Park ski instructor S a m Clarkson says his attempts to bring healthy competition to Whakapapa Skifields is being thwarted by the Department o f Conservation. Mr Clarkson is currently caught up in a battle of words with DoC over the granting of a licence for him to run a ski school on the ski field. The only existing licence to operate a commercial ski school at Whakapapa belongs to the Tourist Hotel Corporation and, ac-

cording to DoC, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts cannot offer an alternative sub lease on the ski field because of a Gov-

ernment directive. Sam Clarkson believes this stance directly contradicts the Commerce Act by al-

lowing a monopoly in a market place. Mr Clarkson is adamant that his 'Top Hat Ski School' meets

all the criteria for a licence to be granted, and that such a service is desperately needed. T urn page 8

DoC shuts out ski

school

From page 1 Mr Clarkson says his business more than adequately meets the requirements for issuing an operator's licence. He says he has already proved there is a demand. Sam Clarkson says he has been holding ski classes for four years with no trouble from Park authorities or the THC. He has skied at Whakapapa all his life, has ski patrol experience and has a Silver Ski Performance grading. DoC, he says, is using stall tactics and instead of protecting the interests of the public, is protecting the interests of the Tourist Hotel Corporation b y blocking private enterprise. However, District Conservator Paul Green has told Mr Clarkson that "any landowner (in this case the Crown) has the right to approve or otherwise of a commercial business on their land". Mr Green says he does not believe there is any conflict with the Commerce Act. Mr Green added that the soon to be released Tongariro National Park Management Plan

states a clear preference for one concessionaire on each ski field. Mr Clarkson says he started his operation in the Mead's Wall area at Whakapapa because there were no existing ski schools that provided coverage in that area. To this extent, he has met the needs of the public. The public, he says, has reasonable cause for complaint in the service given them by THC, whose rates are double those offered by Mr Clarkson. "The average family coming for a weekend's skiing just can't afford to pay $25 a head for lessons. It in fact serves to lessen their enjoyment of the Park." "One of their policies is that if the Board sees a public need which could be fulfilled by private enterprise, it may call for public applications to meet that need." Mr Clarkson saiys he has received many requests from the public for alternative ski instruction due to the high price of the Chateau Ski School. Mr Clarkson says however, that DoC has already advised him that they feel competition is not necessarily in the interest of the National

Park and the public and that they do not wish to see a proliferation of businesses on the ski field. Mr Clarkson has been warned not to continue to operate his ski school and that he will be stripped of his ski pass if he is seen to be instructing on the ski fields again. This, he says he has been told, includes teaching his own family. Legal action to resolve the matter has proved unhelpful and his latest move is to put forward a submission to the Park's Draft Management Plan. Mr Clarkson says he has approached the Commerce Commission, the Labour Department and is trying to arrange a meeting with the Minister of Conservation, Helen Clarke. In the meantime his only option has been to register for the unemployment benefit while his livelihood is on hold. "I only want t o operate a ski school that will benefit the public," he says.