Starting today the Desert Road will be closed for two months. 

Up to 20,000 vehicles could be diverted to regional roads and it will take motorist through towns like Ohakune and National Park.

It is a welcome boost to Ruapehu businesses, but does this disruption mean people could give the region a miss all together?

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton joins the show to discuss what the diversion will mean. 

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