Ruapehu District Council

He says the completed network will be vital in boosting economic growth and resilience in the district.

The proposed $10 million facility will be shared by the council and the iwi, but most of the 700 square metres will be public space.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has rejected a call from three councils to be exempt from new Māori ward legislation.

Councillors left no doubt about their own feelings at a community meeting in Ohakune on whether to scrap or keep their Ruapehu Māori ward.