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Ever wanted to run a 100-year-old chateau? Now is your chance

Chateau Tongariro: New Zealand's version of Buckingham Palace

Sam Smith, journalist at Stuff
Last updated: 20 March 2026 | 3 min read
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The Government is seeking proposals to restore and operate the historic Chateau Tongariro. The landmark hotel in Tongariro National Park closed in 2023 due to seismic risks.

The Department of Conservation has now opened a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find an experienced operator. The aim is to find a commercially viable solution that respects the park's conservation values and boosts local tourism. This move is seen as a positive step for the region's economy.

Chateau Tongariro has been closed since early-2023.

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton has been a strong advocate for the chateau.

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Sam Smith, journalist at Stuff Sam Smith, journalist at Stuff
Stuff journalist, national news team