Southern Discoveries and Kawarau Jet join forces

Two of New Zealand’s premier tourism companies are joining forces in Queenstown.

Te Anau-based Southern Discoveries Ltd has invested in a 50% shareholding in Queenstown’s Kawarau Jet, the world’s first commercial jetboat company.

Southern Discoveries’ General Manager John Robson announced that the company had purchased the 50% shareholding of Kawarau Jet directors Andrew Brinsley and John Martin.

The deal will take effect today (Friday April 29 2011) and the remaining 50% shareholding will continue to be held by Kawarau Jet director Shaun Kelly.

Mr Robson said the two family owned and operated businesses had compatible core values, enjoyed the services of good, loyal and long-term staff, and had “a real sense of pride” in what they did and how they operated.

“Since our business was bought by the Skeggs Group in 2008 and rebranded as Southern Discoveries we’ve focused on business expansion and development, particularly into Queenstown,” he said.

“Kawarau Jet is an extremely well-run business with a very strong brand. We are both already well established in the tourism market but with very different clients, so we see this as a way of continuing to grow both businesses through this joint representation.”

Mr Brinsley said Kawarau Jet was an iconic Queenstown brand with a unique 50-year heritage as the very first commercial jetboat company in the world.

“I’ve been with Kawarau Jet for 11 years and although I am pursuing other business and family interests in Queenstown, I’ll be staying on the K Jet board as an independent chair and will be particularly excited to participate in setting the platform for an exciting new stage in the company’s history.”

Mr Kelly, who has been a director of Kawarau Jet for 24 years, said there is “great potential and scope” for the company and its staff in the new arrangement.

“There are very good synergies between the two businesses so we very much see this as a mutually beneficial partnership,” he said.

“Kawarau Jet is an inherently innovative and pioneering company and is always about looking forward. We were the first company to introduce roll bars onto commercial boats in 1989, and in 1995 we introduced the twin engine concept which is now industry standard.

“Southern Discoveries is a growing company and even after 50 years we see this as a great platform for continued growth and development. Jetboating and tourism is our passion, and we love showing off our beautiful country to visitors from around the world.”

Kawarau Jet currently operates eight jetboats, employs 15 staff and offers action-packed high-speed jetboat rides on the Kawarau and Shotover rivers in Queenstown.

Skeggs Group Managing director David Skeggs said the partnership with Kawarau Jet was in line with a ‘big picture’ programme of investment, development and growth.

“There’s no doubt that times are tough at the moment, but there’s still a lot of synergies between Queenstown and Milford and lots of opportunities to continue to grow the tourism market long-term,” he said.

“We’re all in this for the long-haul and we’re delighted to have the continued expertise and knowledge of Shaun, as director, and Andy, as board chair, at the helm of Kawarau Jet.

“When you add in the loyalty factor of long-term staff on board, iconic products in iconic destinations, the future is exciting.”