Unique Opportunity for Popular Mountain Resort in Taranaki!

Unique Opportunity for Popular Mountain Resort in Taranaki!

Report on the front page of the Taranaki Daily News December 9 2009, relating to The Mountain House on Mount Egmont/Taranaki, which was built in 1899, own by Berta Anderson and her late husband Keith, for 22 years, which was sold last year to Businessman Karl Rripen who is now planning to give it away.

He wants to hear from individuals, artists, charities and trusts who would have good use for the historic lodge on the west slopes or mount Egmont/Taranaki. It is a ten bedroom hotel which he brought for $1 million and is uderstood to have spend another $1 million on refurbishing it.

Karl recently had quadruple heart bypass operation has made him reconsider his life’s priorities.

Mr Reipen arrived in Taranaki from Germany some eight years ago.

He is also the owner of Awakino Estate – It has 3,300 acres overlooking the Tasman sea allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural wonder of the central north island of New Zealand. It has the ability to accommodate up to 26 guests. It’s about 1 hours drive north of New Plymouth on State Highway 3. Awakino Estate – 248 Fraser Smith Road, Awakino – Mokau RD 1, New Zealand Phone: (06) 752 9142 Email – khreipen@awakino-estate.co.nz

Mr Reipen has enlisted New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent to help consider proposals before making a decision who to donate the lodge to.

The Business, yesterday, was still listed for sale by Robert Angus on the Bayley’s website, for $1.8 million along with the Dawson Falls Romantic hotel which has the asking price of $1.4 million.

Proposals for the Stratford Mountain House can be submitted in writing to – The Mountain House PO Box 303 Stratford Taranaki.

21st June 2010
Update On Deal for Mountain House.
The Stratford Mountain House changed hands,ending a bizarre saga that began when its previous owner said he wanted to give it away.

South Taranaki iwi Ngati Ruanui is the new owner of the Mountain House after after officially settling the deal.
The iwi plans to redesign and update parts of the lodge and say’s it will continue to run as a hotel.

The offer attracted national attention, was flooded with more than 300 responses from individuals, artist, charities and trusts all over New Zealand.
But in the end it was not given away at all, it was never explained why it was not given away.
It is planned that the iwi will work closely with the Department of Conservation to highlight the
mountain’s beauty and walking tracks.

27 August 2010

Further Update On Deal for Mountain House!

German Businessman Karl Reipen granted the wishes of 19 organisation and charities at New Plymouth District Council chambers yesterday  by handing out  $230,000 in contributions, ranging between $10.000 to $20.000.

The Groups that received $20.000 were Barnardos, Canteen Taranaki, Taranaki Kiwi Trust

and Waves Youth Health Services.

These received $10.000

Weatern Football Club Inc, Hawera Riding for Disabled Association Ltd, Hospice Taranaki Inc, Mellowpuff Trust, Napier Riding for the Disabled Association Ltd, Percy Thomson Trust, Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust, St Joseph’s Church, Tainui District Fire Party, Tainui Historical Society Museum, Taranaki Community Rugby Trust, Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, Taranaki Tree Trust, Inglewood Development Trust, South Taranaki District Museum Trust.

These were the first grants of Karl Heinz Reipen Trust from the sale of the Stratford Mountain House Sale to Ngati Ruanui Holdings Trust Ltd. The sale figure has not been disclosed but it is believe to be about $800.000.

Their is a further $500.000 in the trust for future groups to apply for.Mr Reipen said that he was pleased with the outcome and that Ngati Ruanui got the mountain house because they belong to the mountain and to the area.

A Big Thanks to German Businessman Karl Reipen for his generosity, so many organisation and charities groups will bennifit from a very Generous Person.