Cabinet has late this afternoon agreed to support separate private bidders running Mt Ruapehu's ski fields after the previous operater fell into volunteer administration.
Regional Econonomic Development Minister Kiri Allan says the two preferred bidders are Whakapapa Holdings Limited and Pure Tūroa Limited.
In the face of criticism that officials haven't adequaletly consulted with local iwi and hapū, Ms Allan says the government will work closely with them over their interests and relationship with the mountain.
Jimmy Ellingham has the story, and Kiri Allan talks to Lisa Owen.
