Late in 2025, BTW’s Environment Team had the privilege of working in one of Aotearoa’s most iconic and challenging locations, the Whakapapa Ski Field on Mt Ruapehu.
Our task? To complete environmental assessments on redundant infrastructure for the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the prime contractor, Naylor Love, supporting safe and efficient deconstruction planned for 2026.
Specialist skills for a specialist site
This wasn’t your standard site visit. Accessing the alpine terrain required technical mountain skills, winter equipment (yes, crampons were definitely needed), and a team comfortable working in remote, exposed conditions.
A huge advantage on this project was having one of BTW’s highly qualified mountain guides, Dave, on the team. With extensive alpine experience across Aotearoa and internationally, including, alpine hazard management, and high-altitude navigation, Dave ensured our field teams could operate safely and efficiently in terrain where conditions can shift rapidly. His expertise meant we could access sites quickly, assess hazards, and maintain a high level of safety throughout.
Alongside Dave, our experienced environmental advisor and certified asbestos surveyor, Teone, completed five detailed asbestos surveys across the redundant infrastructure. This work will enable the safe removal of buildings during 2026 and ensure that all future works meet strict environmental and health standards.
Delivering quality, even in demanding places
Despite the challenging environment, the team delivered the project on time and within budget, thanks to a combination of technical capability, planning, and adaptability in the field.
We love projects like this, where unique environments meet unique challenges, and we take pride in our ability to ‘make it happen’ safely while delivering high‑quality, fit‑for‑purpose technical reports for clients across New Zealand.
If your project is in a remote, complex, or unusual location, our team is always ready to help.
