The ski season on Mount Ruapehu has been saved, with the government providing up to $5 million to the liquidators of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.
The company was put into liquidation last week, after a vote on who would take over the ski fields ended in a stalemate.
The money will buy time for the liquidators to decide on the purchaser of the land and its assets.
Last year the government said it would provide no further financial support.
But Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni says the government is stepping in now because nobody else will.
A significant factor behind the struggles of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts was consecutive seasons of poor weather.
Carmel Sepuloni says there will be questions around the use of the mountain in the future.
The Crown has also received a further expression of interest from Te Ariki Tā Tumu Te He-u he-u on behalf of Tūwharetoa to take over the ski operations on the mountain.
This is in addition to the expressions of interest received from Whakapapa Holdings and Pure Tūroa.
