William Salt was a significant figure in the development of recreation in Tongariro National Park and a keen photographer. He died as a young man but his name is well known in the park in connection to the history of skiing.

As a founder member of the Tongariro National Park Board he had an immediate and lasting impact on the fledgling ski industry. Salt built the first cart track into Whakapapa and built the first buildings at both high and low levels, as well as the first hut above Ohakune.

In the lovely prose typical of the day, Ruapehu Ski Club’s annual report noted: “There was deeply rooted in him a great love of the mountains, whither he would often betake himself and roam many a mile enjoying the wondrous beauties of their snowy peaks. “He was also a student of nature, and possessed an intimate knowledge of our native flora and fauna, besides being a geologist of no mean order.”

In April 2009, Project Tongariro presented an exhibition of Bill’s photographs at the Taupo Museum. The original photographs had been unearthed last year in the DOC offices at Whakapapa. They were lantern slides, in a red wooden box that looks purpose made and labeled William Salt, 1919, Ruapehu Ski Club. The exhibition was funded by Creative Taupo.

1914

William Salt is present (along with the Mead brothers) at the first annual general meeting of the Ruapehu Ski Club and would go on to play a large part in the opening of Ruapehu to skiers.

1919

The Department of Tourism and Health Resorts contracts (for £500) Bill Salt and T.W. Downes to build an access road from the highway to Whakapapa. With the help of several Ruapehu Ski Club members they construct an 8km cart track through the bush and across the tussock, and name it Bruce Road, in acknowledgement of the substantial donations made by R.C.Bruce, a Rangitikei farmer.

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