Ohakune Giant 1000 hillclimb cancelled

This event has been cancelled at the last minute by the organisers because of safety concerns after local iwi, via the Ngati Rangi Trust and their spokesman Che Wilson, stated they would hold a picnic on the road to disrupt  the event. They have been strongly supported by Ruapehu District Council mayor Sue Morris, despite her council giving approval for road closures to hold the event. The underlying theme to objections seems to be the desecration of the sacred mountain by racing up the road. I have been unable to perceive how this event engenders such desecration when many other activities, such as ski-fields, adventure tourism and commercial activity does not. There seems to be a particular snitch about this event by some local iwi, who have used unfair and unjustified pressure to halt the event. Here is an open letter I have written to the Ngati Rangi Trust:

An open letter to the Ngati Rangi Trust

 

RE: Cancellation of the Ohakune Giant 1000 event.

I write as a competitor who was entered into this event, and not in any way as a representative of the organisers of this event. My comments are mine personally, and mine alone, although I suspect they will echo the thoughts of many others.

Your Trust (or at least one or more influential members of your Trust) has opposed this event and now at the eleventh hour, despite repeated advices and notifications to you without response, a threat to disrupt has been issued. This action by your Trust has caused the cancellation of the event, to the dismay of organisers, competitors, spectators and local businesses. A significant economic benefit to the Ohakune district has been lost.

Such action will engender a reputation that will make it more difficult for the District to attract other events that might possibly fall foul of Trust feelings.

In your media release you detail four reasons for your opposition.

1 -Desecration of sacred site – Mount Ruapehu is the spiritual alter and burial ground for Ngāti Rangi

I am sure you are aware that there are 3 ski-fields operating on Mount Ruapehu, as well as many other activities of a commercial and/or recreational nature. Desecration is not measured by degrees. There is either desecration or there is not. If there is no desecration by ski-fields how can it be argued that this event is a cause of desecration? If there is desecration by the ski-fields it begs the question as to why that is tolerated where this event is not. This reason does not stand up to the most cursory scrutiny. 

2 – Noise pollution effects and accidents – impact of rally on avifauna and damage through accidents to the national park – check out http://www.youtube.com for the evidence.

Again, the effects of noise pollution and accidents from other activities would far outweigh any damage from this event. This reason does not stand up to the most cursory scrutiny.

3 -Access to the national park – the Ohākune Mountain Road is the southern access road to the Tongariro National Park and the rally restricts freedom of access

It is common practice for public roads to be closed from time to time for events, including, but not limited to, motorsport events. Local councils approve these closures on a regular basis. Freedom of access to Tongariro National Park is a vital consideration. In the context of an event of this nature, most people would consider it not unreasonable to allow a closure for several hours over 2 days to be put in place, particularly considering the economic benefits to local communities and businesses.

4 – Role modeling – approving the rally may encourage reckless driving

This reason is nonsense. On that basis motorsport would be banned completely. I suspect that the author and driver of your policy would like to see that happen, however it is sad that such sentiment should be allowed to drive Trust policy.

Indeed many would argue to the contrary: that official motorsports events provide good role modeling and promote responsible use of motor vehicles in a controlled environment, especially considering the safety rules under which these events are managed.

In summary I am deeply disappointed at the cancellation of this event particularly considering the spurious reasons given. The local council had given approval, and authorized the road closures. The cause of this cancellation is the action of your Trust.

I have put the reasons behind your decision to pursue this action in context. They fail utterly under scrutiny.

However one or some in your Trust have managed to have their personal views prevail and the result is an action which puts your Trust in a bad light in the view of the wider New Zealand community, and has also done significant damage to your local community.

Finally, after considering the above and this quote from Che Wilson on stuff.co.nz: “People just wanted to take their gas-guzzling machines onto the mountain. It’s just boys and their toys”, I am drawn to the inescapable conclusion that there is a strong anti-motorsport sentiment driving the Trust policy.  (For your information it’s not just boys – there are several women entered as either drivers or co-drivers, one of whom is in her 80s!)

Allowing the proponents of this sentiment a personal victory has been at the expense of the Ohakune community as a whole, and has damaged the Trust’s reputation as a responsible guardian of Mount Ruapehu.

Greg Spark

Hamilton

cc.

Sue Morris, Mayor, Ruapehu District Council

Ian Bowater,  Taupo Car Club

Max Hodder

Radio New Zealand

Fairfax media, stuff.co.nz

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