shotover jet

50TH BIRTHDAY
MEDIA PACK
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
SHOTOVER JET
The world famous Shotover Jet
commenced operations on the
upper Shotover River in 1965 and
was one of Queenstown’s first
adventure activities, and one of the
experiences that helped to put New
Zealand on the global tourism map.
Combining the classic New Zealand invention of the jet boat,
with the Kiwi culture of adventure, Shotover Jet has become
part of the fabric of what is quintessentially ‘New Zealand’
and has taken jet boating from its humble beginnings to
become one of New Zealand’s most iconic ‘must do’ visitor
activities.
Shotover Jet operates on an exclusive area of the Shotover
River and is the only company permitted to operate within
its spectacular canyons, carved out over the ages by a vast
volume of fast flowing water. The very grandeur of this
spectacular environment, less than 10 minutes drive from
Queenstown, combined with the iconic ‘Big Red’ boats that
travel at speeds of up to 85kmh in as little as 10 cm of water
adds to the excitement and exclusivity of the Shotover Jet
experience.
SHOTOVER JET
TURNS 50
YEARS OLD…
In November 2015 Shotover Jet will
be the first jet boat operator in the
world to have reached the milestone
of 50 years of continuous operation.
As an original adventure tourism operator, this is worth
celebrating, both from an industry perspective and the
many staff who over the years have contributed to building
the iconic Shotover Jet brand. Not only is Shotover Jet still
going after 50 years, it is still growing after 50 years, last
year alone we carried over 140,000 people, generating
record results in terms of profit.
TM
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Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
WHAT’S
HAPPENING
TO CELEBRATE
50 YEARS?
»
50 years official celebration, on 13 November
Official acknowledgement of 50 years with invited
guests – including Iwi, community, local and national
government, tourism, staff and owners – both current
and past – between 1- 4pm.
»
Locals’ Day on 14 November
An annual community fundraiser where locals can ride
Shotover Jet for discounted rates: Adult $25 and Child
$10. In 2014 Shotover Jet raised $16,000 for charity.
»Retro captain uniforms from 2 November
Collared white shirt, school or black tie and captains hat
was the uniform of the day in the 60’s and 70’s, so
today’s drivers will wind the clock back 50 years for the
month of November.
»#50goFREE for the month of November
To celebrate 50 years of continuous operation, during
the month of November 2015 anyone who is currently 50
years of age on the day of will travel for FREE.
WHAT’S
THE STORY?
Talent for print, video and online
stories are available on request:
Contact Kate Baxter
P 03 442 9831
M 021 238 5544
E [email protected]
»50 years of continuous operation, innovation and thrill
seeking
»50 years of famous faces
»50 years of jet boat innovation
»The people that made it happen: Melhop brothers,
Herm and May Palmer, Trevor Gamble, Jim Boult, Ngāi
Tahu Tourism
»The Shotover River – the place, the people… the gold!!!
»Destination Queenstown on how Queenstown earned
the nick name “World’s Adventure Capital” – relevance
to their new energetic brand
»ALL primary school children in the Wakatipu (nearly
1,500) are starting Term 4 with a free ride on Shotover
Jet and a technology study on the Kiwi invented jet unit
that made Shotover Jet possible.
Above: Shotover Jet’s youngest driver Niam
Chronican models the retro uniform that drivers
will wear for the first weeks of November
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Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
FAST FACTS
AND FIGURES
»Shotover Jet has been operating since 1965 and has
thrilled over three million people. 140,000 customers
last year alone
»The top 6 countries of origin are: Australia, New Zealand,
USA, UK, China and India
»The famous ‘Big Red’ boats travel at speeds of up to
85kmh (53mph) in as little as 10cm (4 inches) of water
»Boats are specifically designed to handle the Shotover
River Canyons and each generates up to 660 horse
power from two 5.8 litre Mercruiser V8 engines
»Each of the two Hamilton jet units expels 350 litres of
water per second to power the boats
»
Highly-trained professional drivers know the boats
and river like the back of their hand - each undergoes
a minimum of 120 hours rigorous training (over double
the industry requirement) before carrying their first
passenger
RESOURCES
Photography and video material is available on request, or
you can download it from our website at
http://ngaitahutourism.assetbank-server.com/assetbankngaitahutourism/action/viewHome
FOLDER : Shotover Jet 50th
Please note you will need to self register.
FAMILIARISATIONS
Media famils can be arranged on request.
Contact Kate Baxter
P 03 4429831
M 021 238 5544
E [email protected]
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Media accreditation is required for the official celebration
on 13 November.
Register with Kate Baxter above
»The Queen visited Shotover Jet in 1990 but unlike her
more adventurous grandson (Prince William) she did not
take a boat trip
»Some of the other people who have enjoyed Shotover
Jet through the years:
• Prime Minister John Key
• Actress Brooke Shields
• Singer Kenny Rogers
• Former Formula 1 World Champion
Damon Hill
• Actor Hugh Jackman
• Opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa
• Sir Ian McKellen
• Sir Peter Jackson
• Actor Ryan Reynolds
• Singer Alanis Morissette
• Actress Yao Chen
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Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
A BRIEF
SHOTOVER JET
HISTORY…
Soon after the invention of the Jet
Unit by kiwi Bill Hamilton, the
Melhop brothers started a world
first – commercial jet boating on
the Shotover River.
That was in 1960 and it was used to raise money for Christian
Youth Camps. In 1965 Shotover Jet, as we know it today,
began operating when they opened a complementary jet
boat service through the Shotover River canyons from the
beach at Arthurs Point. So began one of Queenstown’s
and possibly New Zealand’s first commercial adventure
activities with the ‘Jet 53’ wooden boat that carried 5
passengers. Shotover Jet carried 1,480 passengers in its
first year of operation in 1965. These developments and innovations culminated at
the New Zealand Tourism Awards in 2004 and 2005. In
2004 Shotover Jet received two prestigious awards at
the annual New Zealand Tourism Awards, winning the
Adventure Activities section and also the major category
of New Zealand Visitor Activities and Attractions. In 2005
Shotover Jet was awarded New Zealand’s top Adventure
Activity for the second year in a row. These accolades once
again recognised Shotover Jet as a market leader and an
iconic New Zealand tourism product. The awards judges
commented that “constant technical developments and a
commitment to staff are ongoing; as are good management
practices … Shotover Jet is a model tourism business that is
an absolute icon of New Zealand tourism. An incredibly well
managed business with a staff of passionate and committed
professionals”.
Since its humble beginnings in 1965 through to today,
Shotover Jet has developed as a market leader with an
iconic status as one of New Zealand’s foremost tourism
operators. In 2003, the company carried its 2 millionth
passenger and it’s 3 millionth in May 2011. 98% of all people
who experience Shotover Jet say that the experience lived
up to or exceeded their expectations.
After periods of ownership with Herm Palmer and then
Trevor Gamble, in 1986 Shotover Jet was purchased by
Queenstown owned and operated tourist company Armada
Holdings Limited. In October 1993 it was listed on the
New Zealand Stock Exchange as a public company. By mid
1999 Ngāi Tahu Holdings became a major shareholder in
Shotover Jet and today the business is 100% privately New
Zealand owned and operated by Ngāi Tahu Tourism.
Primarily for reasons of safety, in 1987 the Shotover River
Empowering Act granted Shotover Jet the sole operating
concession for the canyon section of the Shotover River,
meaning that Shotover Jet are the only company permitted
to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons.
In 1993 Shotover Jet received the New Zealand Tourism
Supreme Award and also the Best Visitor Attraction Award.
The awards judges said that Shotover Jet had come to
“epitomise adventure and action tourism in New Zealand …
today the red Jet Boats are an international icon of tourism
in New Zealand”.
From inception Shotover Jet has been a company of
continual development and innovation and 2002 – 2004
saw a major benchmark when significant capital was spent
on the development and implementation of a new fleet of
twin engine jet boats to replace its existing fleet of single
engine jet boats. At the same time Shotover Jet introduced
world class health, safety and maintenance procedures. The
progress made by the business has meant that Shotover
Jet not only meets jet boat industry standards but in many
cases exceeds them.
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Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
NGAI TAHU
TOURISM
Manaakitanga (hospitality) is one
of the core values which drives
Ngāi Tahu Tourism and its way of
doing business.
Fast facts
• Ngāi Tahu Tourism FY 15 profit more than $9m
• Employs more than 350 staff during the
summer season
• 800,000 customer experiences per year across
all attractions
• New Zealand’s largest Māori owned tourism business
This value ensures the team are great hosts, always extending
a warm welcome to visitors to Te Waipounamu (South Island)
and Aotearoa (New Zealand). The environment is central
to Ngāi Tahu culture and it has been a conscious decision
to invest in tourism activities which reflect our intimate
relationship with the unique New Zealand landscape.
Ngāi Tahu Tourism is the parent company for a selection
of iconic tourism businesses specialising in the outdoors.
These include Shotover Jet, Franz Josef Glacier Guides and
the Hollyford Track, leading adventure tourism activities
that are well known overseas and an essential experience
for many travellers.
Ngāi Tahu Tourism is focused on the aspirations of Ngāi
Tahu whānau, its role in the development of cultural
tourism in Te Waipounamu and reflecting Ngāi Tahu
cultural interpretation within its brands. Building strong and
enduring relationships between its businesses, the wider
industry, government, rūnanga and other iwi is important
for the company as it drives to be an investment partner of
choice in the tourism sector.
The Ngāi Tahu Tourism portfolio includes:
• Shotover Jet (Queenstown)
• Franz Josef Glacier Guides (Franz Josef)
• Glacier Hot Pools (Franz Josef)
• Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park (Rotorua)
• Hukafalls Jet (Taupō)
• Agrodome (Rotorua)
• Dart River (Queenstown)
• Hollyford Track (Fiordland National Park)
• Guided Walks New Zealand and NZ Snowshoe (Queenstown)
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Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
NGAI TAHU
HOLDINGS
TE RUNANGA
O NGAI TAHU
Ngāi Tahu Tourism is a subsidiary
company of Ngāi Tahu Holdings.
Our tribal vision “Mō tātou, ā, mō
kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and
our children after us” expresses our
aspiration for a strong, vibrant and
limitless Ngāi Tahu future.
The Holdings company is an intergenerational New Zealandfocused investor whose mission is to be an outstanding
investment company creating wealth for Ngāi Tahu Whānui.
It manages a diversified portfolio of investments across
five subsidiary companies: Ngāi Tahu Capital; Ngāi Tahu
Farming; Ngāi Tahu Property; Ngāi Tahu Seafood and Ngāi
Tahu Tourism.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (Te Rūnanga), the tribal council, was
established by the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Act 1996 to be
the tribal servant, protecting and advancing the collective
interests of the iwi.
The executive functions of Te Rūnanga are carried out by the
Office of Te Rūnanga, which manages the representational
activities, protects the rights of Ngāi Tahu Whānui and
delivers social and cultural programmes. Ngāi Tahu
Holdings manages commercial activities and assets.
The asset base of Te Rūnanga was founded on the assets
of its predecessor, the Ngāi Tahu Māori Trust Board, and
substantially augmented by the Ngāi Tahu Treaty Settlement
of 1988. The financial settlement amounted to $170m plus
some interest and commercial opportunities.
Since the time of settlement the net asset base has grown
from approximately $10m in 1996 to $1.2b as at June 2014.
Over that time Te Rūnanga has made distributions and
invested over $320m in tribal development.
Te Rūnanga has an intergenerational investment framework
designed to ensure a steady and sustainable cashflow based
on profit and capital growth matching its intergenerational
tribal development strategy.
Te Rūnanga’s development strategy is aligned to a tribal
distribution strategy. This sets in place an overall strategy
for the tribe’s investment future, commercially as well as in
our people and tribal development. Ultimately Ngāi Tahu
invest to create a better future for our tamariki (children) and
mokopuna (grandchildren).
For further information visit: www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz
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Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
NGAI TAHU
CORPORATE
STRUCTURE
14.0 Corporate structure
14.0 Corporate structure
51
8
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 1
The Melhop Brothers
Jet Boat pioneers (1960’s)
The Melhop brothers, Harold and Alan, became the
founders of jet boat tourism in Queenstown being the
agents for Hamilton Jet boats, and Shotover Jet is one of
their legacies.
The
Melhops
were
already
well-established
in
Queenstown having spent holidays at the camping
ground at Frankton. With their eyes on a site across the
lake, now known as Kelvin Heights, and the support of
the community for a venture to keep kids off the streets, a
Christian Camp was established. The jet boats were used
for water skiing before the Melhop brothers realised that
tourist numbers were increasing and the jet boat could be
a great money earner for the camp. A jetty was set up in
Frankton before moving the operations to Queenstown
wharf. The success of joy rides on the lake encouraged the
Melhops to establish a regular service down the Kawarau
River in 1960.
After many trips past the Shotover River mouth, Alan Melhop
became intrigued by the unknown and he drove a test trip
up through the gorge, under the Edith Cavell bridge to the
Oxenbridge Tunnel. As a result of this trip Shotover Jet
Services was set up in 1965 and Herm Palmer was hired as
a driver. That year the Melhops had raised enough money
to finish the camp. So with other jet boats starting to
operate seven days a week, and Christian values excluding
the Melhops from working on Sundays, they decided to sell
Shotover Jet to Herm Palmer.
Top: Pioneer jet boat operators Harold
and Alan Melhop (left) ready for a long
day’s work from the Frankton Arm site in
the 1960s. (Melhop Family)
Above: Frankton Beach in summer
in the 1960s looking towards the lake
outlet with boating in full cry. The
jet boats of the pioneering Melhop
brothers could well be in this shot.
(Lakes District Museum)
9
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 2
Herm & May Palmer
Shotover Jet pioneers (late 60’s)
Herm and May Palmer retired to Queenstown in 1962.
Having always had a keen interest in jet boats and needing
something to fill their days, Herm and May pioneered the
Shotover Jet experience.
Herm believed the most economic service would be to
operate on the Shotover between Arthurs Point and Tuckers
beach. An old army hut was used as an office at Arthurs
Point while an old reconditioned tractor affectionately
called ‘Hector’ was used to launch and retrieve the boat.
Herm continued as the driver and mechanic while May
ferried passengers back and forth from Queenstown and
looked after administration. With the gold claim Herm and
May owned being used as an extra attraction for customers,
May often helped passengers as they were left for a few
hours to pan for gold.
Shotover Jet carried 1,480 passengers in its first year of
operating, 1965. In 1970 after five years of hard work, Herm
retired for a second time and put the business, including
a Hamilton Jet 41 boat with a Colorado Junior jet unit
powered by a 170 Falcon engine, up for sale. Herm and May
retired for a second time to Alexandra.
Top: In the beginning of running the
Shotover Jet service Herm Palmer (right)
takes Murray Perrott for a spin. (Palmer
family)
Above: Herm Palmer takes passengers
close to the edge in the late 1960s but
perhaps not as close as the drivers of
later times. (Palmer family)
10
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 3
Taking a Gamble on the Shotover
(1970 – 1985)
Trevor and Heather Gamble purchased Shotover Jet from
Herm and May Palmer in 1970. The business began an era
which was as exciting as the boat ride itself.
Trevor felt that the tender for Shotover Jet was an
opportunity ideal for him even though he had never driven
a jet boat. He took to the water under the Kawarau Bridge
where there was a bit of a current and taught himself
how to drive. Those were the days of being 100% free of
officialdom. No permission was required.
The Gambles began with two trips, one for 30 minutes for
$2.50 and one of 45 minutes for $3. Passenger numbers
were increasing but it was not an easy time. Believing the
Shotover Jet trip had tourist potential and was the best trip
possible, the decision was made to increase the fee. A new
price of $15 was readily accepted allowing a Volkswagen
van to be purchased to replace the taxi fee for each trip
charged to the company.
The transition from a sightseeing trip to a thrilled based
experience came about in 1972 after an elderly 73 year old
lady had mentioned it was not exciting enough for her.
The boats themselves were gradually morphing into today’s
‘Big Reds’ as the concept of putting adventure into tourism
grew. By the mid 70’s 25 trips a day were being done with
bookings made days in advance. Marketing was mainly
‘word of mouth’ and Shotover Jet soon became a must do
when visiting Queenstown.
Throughout the entire Gamble era Shotover Jet had a family
feel. During the 16 years of Gamble ownership the business
had grown significantly requiring 12 staff and by 1985 the
Gambles felt it was time to ease back.
Top: Trevor Gamble, microphone in
hand, giving passengers the lowdown
in the 1970s. (Lakes District Museum)
Above: The Bedford van which was used
after the Volkswagen van to transport
passengers to and from Queenstown.
(Trevor Gamble)
11
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 4
Jim Boult and the Big Picture
(1986 – 2001)
The year 1986 was a momentous one for Shotover Jet.
Accidentally falling into tourism after taking a holiday in
Queenstown, Jim and Karen Boult began the period of
greatest expansion and carried Shotover Jet’s 500,000th
passenger.
Marketing took on a new meaning with word of mouth
having been the only marketing tool used until the slogan
“The World’s Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride” was created.
1n 1987 Jim Boult won an ongoing battle and was granted
sole operating concession for the canyon section of the
Shotover River. A 15 year renewal was negotiated giving
confidence to invest more money into the business.
A fifty-year summary of Shotover Jet is a story of meteoric
success. In 1993 Shotover Jet was the Supreme Winner at
the New Zealand Tourism Awards. The judges noted that
Shotover Jet had come to “epitomise adventure and action
tourism in New Zealand and today the red jet boats are an
international icon of tourism in New Zealand.” This was one
amongst many awards throughout this era.
A concession to operate four jet boats at any one time was
granted in 1999. This was significant in enabling more than
100,000 passengers to be carried. Then in 2001 the first of
the ‘Shotover Twins’ jet boat fleet, a new beach reception
and lifejacket unit were introduced.
Jim felt after leading Shotover Jet, the figures tell the story
“When we bought the company in 1986 there were 35,000
passengers each year, when sold out in 2001 there were
120,000. Shotover Jet had become an icon.”
Top: The one millionth passenger
Melody Perrin from Atlanta, United
States, was carried on 2 November
1994. Here she joins her husband Mike
in a celebration drink with Shotover Jet
managing director Jim Boult.
Above: A “big red” driven by Jason
Campbell and a “big yellow” at the top
of the second gorge clearing rocks in
March 2002.
12
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 5
The Richest River in the World
The beach that Shotover Jet now operates from is where
Thomas Arthur discovered gold on November 13, 1862.
Initially he was engaged as a shearer by Mr William Gilbert
Rees who farmed the basin with his Home Station in
Queenstown bay. However Arthur and his mate Thomas
Redfern snuck off on the first Sunday they were there and
with a skillet and butchers knife and found over a kilogram
of gold.
Thus started the largest gold rush in Otago. Following
the Shotover River and it’s tributaries up to the Quartz
Reefs in the high mountains from which much of the gold
had originally come. The Shotover River was until recently
considered to be the “richest river in the world”, only in
the past few years being surpassed by the Yukon River in
Canada.
Although the early miners had taken a fortune from the
Shotover River everyone knew there was more gold still
in the river than had never found its way to the banks,
the bars and the brothels.
One way to get at the gold would be to divert the river
to make it easier to get to the riches still hidden in the
underwater crevices and river-bottom gravel. In 1906 the
Oxenbridge family, led by brothers Bert and Ned, were the
instigators of a diversion tunnel at Arthurs Point which can
still be seen today by Shotover Jet passengers.
After three years and costs of £10,000 unfortunately only
£600 worth of gold was recovered. It was a gamble but
Ned Oxenbridge did not accept failure and his next
move was to Staircase Creek where he achieved his riches.
Above: The mouth of the Oxenbridge
tunnel with rocks being removed. As this
photograph indicates the tunnel was 15ft
x 14ft, large enough to drive a horse and
dray through. (Lakes District Museum)
Above: Queenstown Rafting complete
a trip with the outlet of the Oxenbridge
tunnel in the background.(Queenstown
Rafting)
13
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 6
Crossing the Shotover
Left: An undated oil
on canvas painting
of Edith Cavell by
Raymond Lynde.
(Norfolk Museums
Service, Norwich
Castle Museum &
Art Gallery).
From the early 1900’s the Arthurs Point bridge and its
shortcomings were well-known. By late 1915 it had been
decided that the bridge would have to be replaced and
loads crossing it were restricted to four tons. A new bridge
was designed by engineer Frederick Furkett of the Public
Works Department and the parabolic rib arch truss design
was the second bridge of this type after the Grafton Bridge
in Auckland. It was built from concrete and steel between
November 1917 and February 1919 by Steve Auburn and
cost over £8,000 (almost $1 million in 2015).
The name of the new bridge, the Edith Cavell Bridge,
came about because of the persistence of an old miner,
Jack Clark who lived in a sod hut overlooking the bridge.
He suggested to the Lake County Council that the bridge
be named after the British nurse who was executed by
the Germans in Belgium during World War One. When
the council did nothing he painted “To Cavell Bridge” on
a sign approaching the bridge and “Edith Cavell Bridge”
on the bridge itself. The name was taken up in the area
and eventually became the official one. The nearby café is
named after her although you will find locals tend to call
it “ka-VELLs” whereas as the heroine’s clergyman father
insisted the family name be pronounced “KA-vill” so that it
did not rhyme with “Hell”. In a stage play about the nurse
one character insists the name should rhyme with “travel”.
October 12, 2015 marks 100 years since the death of
Edith Cavell.
Above: The new bridge over
the Shotover at Arthurs Point
(later named after Edith Cavell)
possibly on opening day in 1919.
(Lakes District Museum)
14
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 7
A Day in the Life of Shotover Jet
7.03am
In the main building Tomika
Terry has an early start and
a cup of coffee helps.
7.12am
Jet boat driver
Donald Boyer
drives his boat
down to the beach.
7.03am
7.25am
Jet boat drivers Joseph
Coutts and Tony McCarthy
chat, maybe practising their
commentary banter, while
doing final checks.
7.25am
8.10am
Jet boat driver
Niam Chronican
explains the safety
rules for the trip.
7.12am
7.30am
8.10am
Matthew Chalmers greets
a customer checking in for
her Shotover Jet trip.
3.30pm
Shotover Jet and helicopter
trips leave at 10.30 am
and 3.30 pm and here the
afternoon helicopter leaves
from Coronet Peak Road.
5.24pm
7.40pm
7.30am
3.30pm
7.40pm
5.24pm
Denise and Rowena Whitney of
Australia give each other a high-five
after their 25 minutes of adrenaline
on the Shotover River.
All the boats are tucked
away for the night. Drivers
Joseph Coutts and Ryan
Black relax after a long day.
15
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 8
Development of the Shotover Jet Boats
1965
Model:
Hamilton Jet 41
Material:
Fibreglass with timber top
Designer:
CWF Hamilton
Manufacturer: CWF Hamilton
Engine: 170 Falcon
Jet Unit: Hamilton Jet Single Stage Colorado
Passenger #’s: 5
1975
Model:
MK 1 ‘Big Red’
Material:Alloy
Designer: Joe Van Giels and Kelvin Shacklock
Manufacturer: McIntyre Engineering (Bill Irwin)
Engine: Single, 455 Oldsmobile
Jet Unit: Hamilton Jet 1031
Boat: #1 - #4
Passenger #’s: 10
1991
Model: MK 2 ‘Big Red’
Material:Alloy
Designer: Joe Van Giels and Kelvin Shacklock
Manufacturer: Bill Irwin
Engine: Single, 454 Chevy
Jet Unit: Hamilton Jet 1031 then Hamilton Jet 273
Boat: #5 - #8
Passenger #’s: 12
1995
Model: MK 3 ‘High Water’
Material:Alloy
Designer: Andy Stevens
Manufacturer: Bill Irwin
Engine: Single, 496 Chevy
Jet Unit: Hamilton Jet 212
Boat: #14 - #18
Passenger #’s: 12
16
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 8
CONTINUED...
Development of the Shotover Jet Boats
1998
Model: MK 4 ‘Big Red’
Material:Alloy
Designer: Andy Stevens and Bill Irwin
Manufacturer: Bill Irwin
Engine: Single, 496 Chevy
Jet Unit: Hamilton Jet 273
Boat: #19 - #21
Passenger #’s: 14
2001
Model: ‘Big Red’ Twin Engine
Material:Alloy
Designer: Bill Irwin
Manufacturer: Bill Irwin
Engine: 2 x 3.8l Buick V6 Super charged
Jet Unit: 2 x Hamilton Jet 212
Boat: #T1 – T8
Passenger #’s: 14
2012
Model: ‘Big Red’ 2nd Generation Twin Engine
Material:Alloy
Designer: Tim Barnett
Manufacturer: Keelow Craft
Engine: Mercruiser
Jet Unit: 2 x Hamilton Jet 212
Boat: # T9
Passenger #’s: 14
17
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 9
The Man Who Made the Jet Boat
C W F (Bill) Hamilton
The Shotover is a river which needs
a special boat and that boat is a jet
boat powered by an invention
created by C W F (Bill) Hamilton,
although he never claimed that he
was the first to think of the method.
Hamilton was born at Ashwick Station near Fairlie in South
Canterbury and in 1921 bought Irishman Creek sheep
station near Lake Tekapo where he built a workshop and
a hydroelectric plant to supply power for engineering
experiments.
He needed a propulsion system to operate boats in the
very shallow water of the rivers in the area and the waterjet
proved to be ideal. During the early 1950s, Bill worked on
designing a boat which would work in rivers too shallow
for propeller-driven boats. By 1954 he had produced the
answer, a boat propelled by a jet of water ejected from the
back of the craft. The jetboat draws the water from under
the boat into a pump inside and then expels it through a
nozzle at the stern.
How your Shotover Jet works
A jet boat is different from other boats. It uses an internal
propeller (impeller) to provide propulsion.
Water is drawn in through an intake in the bottom of the
boat, then driven out through a nozzle at the rear with great
force. By turning the nozzle the boat also changes direction.
The boat can brake and reverse using ‘reverse buckets’.
On Shotover Jet Boats this happens in tandem, as there are
two engines and two jet units.
The new boat did all that was needed. It was highly
manoeuverable and at full speed could be reversed and
brought to a stop within little more than its own length.
The well known Hamilton turn or “jet spin” is a high-speed
manoeuvre during which the boat’s engine throttle is cut,
the steering is turned sharply and the throttle opened
again, causing the boat to spin quickly around with a large
spray of water.
The company which C W F Hamilton founded, has supplied
the Hamilton waterjets engines for the Shotover Jet boats
and the waterjets attributes and the skill of the drivers make
them the backbone of the Shotover Jet experience.
Above: C W F (Bill) Hamilton
18
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 10
Jet #1 – The First of the Big Reds
(1975)
The hull was designed specially by a naval architect J. J. Van
Giels of Timaru and the styling / super structure of the boat
was penned by Kelvin Shacklock.
The general principles of the shape were based on the
current Hamilton river boats at the time:
»Moderate deadrise suitable for river work
»A full bow to reduce knifing
»Spacious as possible for passengers
»Just under 16 feet length to avoid having to be surveyed
The resulting design had a beam not much less than the
length. Unique at the time as it incorporated features
such as tiered seating giving a stadium type view to all
passengers aboard.
It was built Bill Irwin at McIntyre Engineering in Cromwell
with essentially no detailed dimensions. The hull was fitted
with a new generation (at the time) Hamilton Jet 1031
Jet unit (10” dia. impeller). This was the first of the mass
produced commercial units made by CWF Hamilton. A 455
cubic Inch V8 Oldsmobile engine was fitted as the boat
needed substantial power and performance.
CWF Hamilton Marine would not guarantee this boat due
to the innovative nature - its width relative to its length
meant 360 spins could be performed with more ease.
Another unique feature worth mentioning is the winglets
that were fitted to each side of the boat, perpendicular to
the drivers’ seat, to indicate the minimum distance from the
canyon walls the drivers could direct the boat. Although,
there were still many ‘operational scars’ accumulated. Over
the years the mechanics at Shotover Jet have made several
alterations to the jet boats.
During the eleven years of operating #1 carried
approximately 150,000 passengers. The final trip on the
Shotover River was while filming the 1987 American film
‘The Rescue’.
19
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
REFERENCE
MATERIAL 11
Famous Faces, Royals to Rock Stars
Left:
Brooke Shields
Driver Rolf Lechti
couldn’t resist asking
for a autograph.
Left:
Damon Hill
Former Formula 1
World Champion.
Below:
Dame Kiri te Kanawa
With friends, Opera
icon meets Adventure
Tourism icon.
Above:
Duke and Duchess
of Cambridge
The only day of
sunshine on their
royal tour of
New Zealand.
Right:
Sir Peter Jackson
NZ legend!! Brought
Middle Earth to life.
Above:
Sir Ian McKellan
Gandalf!! and other
starring roles but
that’s what brought
him to New Zealand.
Above:
Jonah Lomu
All Black legend.
Above:
Hugh Jackman
Best known for his longrunning role as Wolverine
in the X-Men film series.
20
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.
SHOTOVER JET
FAST FACTS 2015
»Shotover Jet has been operating since 1965 and has thrilled
over three million people
»Boats carry 14 passengers and one driver
»Shotover Jet operates 364 days a year (weather permitting)
– every day except Christmas Day
»It is known as ‘The World’s Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride’
»The famous ‘Big Red’ boats travel at speeds of up to 85kmh
(53mph) in as little as 10cm (4 inches) of water
»The original Māori name for the Shotover River is ‘Kimi-akau’
meaning “searching for the coast” – perhaps a reference to
it being used as a trail to the West Coast to find pounamu
(greenstone)
»The first European name for the river was ‘The Tummel’
– named by Scottish explorers Cameron and MacDonald
after a river in Scotland
»Boats are specifically designed to handle the Shotover River
Canyons and each generates up to a 660 horse power from
two 5.8 litre Mercruiser V8 engines
»The river was named Shotover by William Rees, the first
European to settle on the shores of Lake Whakatipu
(Whakatipu-wai-Māori) in 1860. He named it after his
business partner George Gammie’s English estate,
Shotover Park in Oxfordshire
»Each of the two Hamilton jet units expels 350 litres of water
per second to power the boats
»The Shotover River was the richest gold-bearing river in
New Zealand following the Otago Gold Rush in the 1860s
»The jet boats’ innovative propulsion system, the Hamilton
Waterjet, was designed over 50 years ago by legendary
Kiwi inventor Sir CWF (Bill) Hamilton
»The spectacular Shotover River Canyons were carved out
over thousands of years by crystal-clear fast-flowing water
that comes straight from the Southern Alps
»Shotover Jet’s boat interiors are based on a single-piece
carbon fibre ‘fifth generation’ prototype mould that
contains 14 built-in passenger seats
»The river is 60 km long and the Shotover Jet trip covers
return trips on a 7km stretch from the Oxenbridge Tunnel
to Tucker Beach
»
Shotover Jet offers Queenstown’s only full 360-degree
spins and more. Will you get wet? Very likely – it’s all part of
the fun
»Premier tourism operator Ngāi Tahu Tourism took 100%
ownership of Shotover Jet in 2004
»Highly-trained professional drivers know the boats and river
like the back of their hand – each undergoes a minimum
of 120 hours rigorous training (over double the industry
requirement) before carrying their first passenger
»The distinctive Edith Cavell Bridge, under which the jet
boats travel, was named after famed British nurse Edith
Cavell, executed by the Germans after admitting to
harbouring Allied soldiers. The 100th anniversary of her
death is 12th October 2015
»Shotover Jet maintenance programmes are based on the
aviation sector’s ‘reliability-centred maintenance’ (RCM)
philosophy
»Winters are sometimes so cold the river can freeze over
– in July 1991 and June 1992 it froze from bank to bank,
temporarily bringing trips to a halt
»
Shotover Jet is an iconic ‘must do’ attraction, receiving
many awards and accolades and widely regarded as a world
leader in commercial jet boating
»After heavy rainfall in the Southern Alps the water can flow
at up to 150 cumecs (cubic metres per second) – again
temporarily bringing trips to a halt
»The Queen visited Shotover Jet in 1990 but unlike her more
adventurous grandson she did not take a boat trip
»Some of the other people who have enjoyed Shotover Jet
through the years:
• Prime Minister John Key
• Actress Brooke Shields
• Singer Kenny Rogers
• Former Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill
• Actor Hugh Jackman
• Opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa
• Sir Ian McKellen
• Sir Peter Jackson
• Actor Ryan Reynolds
• Singer Alanis Morissette
•
Actress Yao Chen
21
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.