So, what has come of this?Who is the new owner of Mr Reipen's bad acquisition that was loosing hin $50K a month?
Dear Monique.Many thanks for that Monique.My heart goes out too both you and your hushand, hope it all works out of you.I alway's said to my brothers, if Dad wanted us to have the Mt House it would of happened. But it wasn't meant to be. Feel really sad every time I look at Dad's painting on our walls.I hope the new people make it a special place, as Dad and Berta did. Wouldn't that be great.
Dear Sonja, I truely feel with you, your brother and Berta, whom I met briefly. I know that you all have put so much effort, so much heart into these places and only because this awful little rich man Reipen had the money to buy them, lying about his true intentions, must be a terrible thing for you all. He did the same thing with Matador Fresh, a company that was built over 30 years by a lovely couple, Pat and Margaret Scannel, having 40 peiple employed, who are all without a job now, just because of this pathetic "millionare".When he refurbished the Mountaun House one of his primary rules was: I DON`T WANT CHILDREN IN HERE, as they make all dirty!(That is exactly the same thing in his houses at Awakino!Please hear what these people over there think of Karl Reipen!)When he got rid of all the skis and snowboards, he made me say that it was out of concern for the security of the people, but that was a lie, he just didn´t want the people coming with skiboots into his newly refurbished Mountain House. What a tough job it was, for Sue,the Restaurant Manger and Danger,the Chef to tell parents with children,that they were not allowed to enter further then the coffeeshop!As you can see, he has never ever had the intention of giving the Mountauin House away for free.There is a Spanish saying: No da puntada sin hilo! Which means, that he never does anything without thinking of gaining something! And that is exactly what happened!He still owes me (I used to be the General Manager of the Mountain House, Dawson Falls and Oakura Village) money. But at least my husband, who was the General Manager of Matador Fresh, succeded in taking him to court and get a part of the money Reipen owed him!Hopefully Dawson Falls will soon be in the right hands again, in the hands of people who charish the place and the building... and Karl Reipen will just be a bad memory!!!Give my regards to Berta, hugs to you Sonja... and always remember, Life is a boomrang...!!! Monique
When I saw Karl Ripen's story on Campbell Live (offering to give the Mountain House away), it bought tears to my eyes and I was so angry. How could he give a treasured masterpiece away after all the hard work Keith (my father) and Berta Anderson had put into the place during 20+ years they owned it? With pent-up anger and sadness, my brothers and i put pen to paper and submitted our business proposal to try win the Mountain House into the hands of Taranaki people. We had a vision to operate the lodge into its original existence.Like all Taranaki people, Mt Egmont is a huge part of our lives. In 1973, when I was 12 years old, Dad purchased Dawson Falls Tourist Lodge. We watched Dad strip the lodge to its bearskin and transform it into a beautiful Swiss Lodge. There was never enough money and we all worked for love to help Dad pursue his dream in creating an idyllic Mountain Lodge for Taranaki. And when Dad and Berta bought the Mountain House we all had our turn at working there at some stage in our lives.At the time of Dad's death, he and Berta still owned the Mountain House. I know Dad will be turning in his grave if he knew what had become of the Mountain House today, and how someone so disrespectful as Mr Karl Ripen could not honor the Taranaki's people mountain and its special lodge.
This is all show to show how much money this .... has. this loudge will get the person who is the manager of his charrity!!!!Me and my husbend was working with this **** a year, from 5 in the morning till the last customer left. We had no off days!!! we never got payed overtimes, and we got payed 40 h per a week. He brought us and over friends from oversees, promice us dream life, and in the end of the story he called us slaves, and as we didn"t quit our job, he , not to fire us, and pay money, he send his other "slaves", whom he paid in cash!!! and they blame us in bed things.People!! do not belive him!!!!
Finally Reipen showed his real face once more, as Kyla writes so appropiately: deceptive and untrustworthy!He had bought the Mountain House, Dawson Falls, Cafe Wunderbar in Oakura (which gladefully was bought back from the landlord to avoid destruction!) and Matador Fresh, all in 2008 and run them into the ground in no time. Left all the many people without a job. He announced jobs overseas, as for him Kiwis are lazy and slow, brought families under false conditions into this beautiful country and once here treated them/us like slaves! He even once, in the middle of a meeting, he lend back in his chair saying: I would have been a great slave trader!Whatever comes out of his mouth, is a lie. He never ever gives a penny for free. He still owes a lot of people money, as he offers a wage and in the end did not pay it.Not only Kiwis has he lied and taken advantage of, treating them like sub-people, example the barlady, whom he refused to even shake her hand and sacked without reason. He brought people from overseas, people you left their jobs, their houses and families to start a new life in New Zealand and who woke up in a nightmare, being yelled at, being told to be useless and treated like thieves all the time.I wonder why he is obsessed with being stolen from...When this story came out, that he was giving the Mountain House away for free, all we, the people who have had the bad luck of knowing him, were just waiting for this end!Somebody like this, will never change. He is just a greedy, pathetic little man, with money.... and only that!
I have waited a week before putting pen to paper in relation to the so called “Gift to the Nation”. I am disgusted at the outcome. Not towards the new owners Ngati Ruanui, but towards Karl Reipen – so called philanthropist, and his working party consisting of people in positions of power and influence within the community. Dave Rogers and Phil Mohi, Department of Conservation, Rob Tucker, Mr Reipens representative, Mayors Peter Tennent and Neil Volzke, Paul Stancliffe-White, Venture Tourism Taranaki. The public perception of these people must now be shattered with what appears to be corrupt behaviours in assisting a Nationwide and International advertisement for what ended up being a sale of property. I was the applicant from overseas that was mentioned in news reports following the progress of this scam. To me it was an opportunity to return to my home country, my home town, and to be able to offer the people I grew up with, a chance to promote the Taranaki I remember, to the Nation and the World. I submitted my proposal with the thought, “Wow, what an opportunity! What a wonderful idea to present New Zealand a chance to really do something for its people.” What a farce. This was never intended for the everyday person. It was a scam, a sale to the highest bidder. Where is the “winner” in that? Why put people through this? Dreams shattered. Time, effort and money for a “Gift” that was never meant to be. Had Mr Reipen been honest from the beginning, feelings would be different – but what he has done has disgusted me beyond belief. I was informed by the working party that my proposal had progressed to the next stage. Out of 320 applicants, including one from overseas (that would be me), 37 people were now being requested to submit business plans. I had never completed a business plan, however through connections and wonderful supportive people I had following my progress in this dream, I completed a business plan and submitted it within the short time frame given. During this time I was looking after my new child only 1 year of age, had just returned to work on 12 hour shifts, let the housework go (my house became a pigsty). I researched for hours, on the mountain house and its history, the owner Karl Reipen, members of the working party, other businesses and community organisations within the local area that could be contacted as affiliates in creating my proposal for the Mountain House giveaway. I did not spend $5000 on a business plan as others have, however the time, effort and reduced attention towards my family was expensive to me. I was informed that I had not progressed to the next stage. 22 people had submitted business plans, and this had been shortlisted again to 3 successful applicants for the winner to be chosen. At this time I was disappointed, but I had no regrets in putting the time and effort into the “possibility” of this dream coming true. I then waited to hear the outcome. I thought that the “gift” would probably be given to a charitable organisation and hoped that whoever the “winner” may be, would be able to come through for the people of New Zealand, and utilise this unique opportunity to create a place that all people would be able to experience and enjoy. To find out that this “Gift” is now a “Sale” I am devastated. This was never an opportunity for the everyday person. I believe that those people that submitted business plans were not progressed due to lack of funds. All of those ideas presented by people were discarded against the possibility of financial gain. How sickening. I would like to wish Ngati Ruanui good luck with the iconic mountain house and the opportunity to have access to my proposal if they so wish. Perhaps some of my ideas may be taken on board. If it will assist in creating opportunities for the people of Taranaki then the work I have put in will not be in vain. I do not give the working party or Mr Reipen permission to keep or utilise any information I have submitted. It has been stated that Mr Reipen will give the money to a charity of his choice, this is of no consequence. In my opinion, Mr Reipen is a deceptive and untrustworthy recluse. I will not be supporting, nor promoting any of his businesses. I would call on him to show some honour, some Mana, and present this “Gift” as it was supposed to be without any financial transaction. The “winner” should have been able to show how they would be able to benefit the people of New Zealand. Why not trust these people to pay it forward? Give them the opportunity you advertised. Kyla Ries
u should give it to me so i can help single mum and childen out when thy get beat up
This is an amazing oppertunity, despite what we do in the past and what we cannot take back we can still make up for by giving and what a gift to the deserving. i believe this could be operated in verious ways,I have lived in taranaki in the past for 5 years in the hopitality industry and been to this mountain house a few times also snowboarding up there and have a good understanding on what its all about.It could be utalized for the mountain goers during season, a nite out for resraurant goers all year round, but also to serve the NZ and its community by offering a P/methamphetamine rehabilitation facility offering a program that works.This place would offer the attributes needed for such a facility...-Detox, isolation.-Physiological needs food, warmth, shelter, relaxing environment.-Safety needs, Secure environment, Drug Education-Social needs - affiliation and acceptance, local activities and team building.-Esteem Needs – self respect, approval from family and others-Self actualization needs, ethics, values, self fulfillment, -Introduction to work force (benificial to local Businesses)Our needs are aroused in a specific order, lower order needs must be met before higher order needs can be triggered.My philosophy is to give honest, caring and knowledgeable advice, support and referrals according to their unique circumstance. Goals•Help drug addicts and families through rehabilitation•Decrease drug use in NZ •Decrease crime rates•Bring family’s together•Create hope•Increase local business activities•Create a standard therapy for this addiction•Donating to local community drug and alcohol abuse centers And help linesApart from the accommodation and food the clients would also be Taken on field trips to participate in local adventure attractions such asRiver rafting, swimming, water sports, mountain sports, restaurants, Horse riding etc this would also bring year round business to the local Community’s.The tourist attraction could still be available in season, and wineing and dinning all year round do not have to stop.Its possible that a unit or two can also be used for free accomadation for organisations like st johns and cancer foundations volinteers etc as a holiday retreat.Meth / P is fast becomming a major problem in new zealand and if nothing is done we will all suffer!Good luck to all that apply and may the best proposal win :-)
This gift is truely amazing. I am going to register just for the hell of it. Whoever has the right will win because they deserve it. I can only make it the gift that keeps giving, I beleive its enough. Good luck to us all.:-)