This application is notified under section 17SC of the Conservation Act 1987. The Minister of Conservation has received a lease, licence easement concession application from:
Application details
Applicant: Ōhau Snow Holdings Limited
Application number: 126359-SKI
Location of Proposed Activity: Ōhau Snowfields, Ruataniwha Conservation Area, NZTM 1342767.9 E 5098070.2 N (Day Lodge coordinates).
Permission Type: Lease, licence, easement concession.
Summary of Proposal: To continue the operation, and maintenance of Ōhau Snow Fields, as currently authorised under CA-272-SKI. The application includes the addition of the Hemi's Basin licence area (72 ha) and proposes the construction of an exit trail (approximately 120m long) at the bottom of the basin. The application also requests the exclusion of all hunting activities within the Main Basin and Hemi’s Basin. The applicant has applied for a 30-year concession term.
Application documents:
126359-SKI – Ōhau Snow Holdings Limited Application (PDF, 40,600K)
How to make a submission
Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal.
Submissions close at 11:59 pm on Thursday 10 December 2026.
Make an online submission
Download a submission form
1. Prepare your submission
Record what you think on the submission form.
Any person or organisation wishing to be heard at a possible hearing in support of their submission must request an opportunity to appear before the Director-General. This request must be included in your submission.
2. Send us your submission
Send us your submission by email or post.
Email: dharliwich@doc.govt.nz
Subject line: Submission on 126359-SKI
Post:
Director-General
Department of Conservation
Private Bag 4715
Christchurch Mail Centre
Christchurch 8140
Attention: Dean Harliwich, Permissions Advisor (ref: 126359-SKI)
Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, you need to state this in writing when making your submission.
What happens next
After submissions close:
- DOC will analyse and consider all submissions.
- A hearing may be held if there have been requests to be heard by the Director-General. If you have expressed an interest in presenting your submission at a hearing, you'll be contacted by DOC regarding this.
- DOC will analyse and consider information raised at any hearing that occurs.
- DOC will make a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation.
- The Minister of Conservation’s delegated representative will make a decision on the application.
Hearing details
If a hearing is required, it is likely to occur from January 2027 onwards.
Decision
No details at this point. Details, such as the decision outcome, will be added when they are available.
DOC comment regarding publicly notified applications
The Minister of Conservation has made no determination regarding the suitability of this proposed concession on public conservation land. This public notification should not be interpreted as an intention on the part of the Minister of Conservation to grant the proposed concession.
Contact
Dean Harliwich, Permissions Advisor. Email: dharliwich@doc.govt.nz