Fiordland Jet Heads to China
The FJet boys, Chris and Jerry have gone to China. They're flying the Fiordland Jet banner and doing the Te Anau team proud. Although they have done a bit of sight seeing along the way, and it looks fantastic! Look out world, here we come!
Fiordland Jet at TRENZ 2018
The FJet Team just wrapped up their final day at TRENZ!
It's been a busy week of meeting heaps of new faces and introducing oursleves to companies from all over the world.
We've had a blast promoting not only Fiordland Jet, but also New Zealand, Fiordland, and especially our home base, Te Anau. A big thank you to everyone at TIA for hosting such a great event and the Destination Fiordland crew for helping us through our first ever TRENZ. And most importantly thank you to eveyone that took the time to get to know us and hear about what Fiordland Jet has to offer - We can't wait for next year!
What is TRENZ?
Hosted by TIA (Tourism Industry Aotearoa) at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin, TRENZ .."is New Zealand’s biggest annual business-to-business travel and trade event. TRENZ is a four day opportunity to forge relationships, do business with one another and discover exciting new experiences in this beautiful country."
Qualmark Sustainable Tourism Business Award
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
We are very excited (and proud) to have received Qualmark's Silver Award for Sustainable Tourism Business!!
So what does that mean?
"A Silver Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Proactive leadership and management ensure that a culture of high performance is evident throughout the entire business. The business will have a real focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to ensure the tourism product they deliver is a genuine, constantly improving sustainable experience."
You can check out Qualmark's website for more info at https://www.qualmark.co.nz/en/learn-about-us/how-qualmark-works/
We want to say a big thank you to Tourism New Zealand for coming down to the lovely Te Anau to get to know the FJet Team and see what Fiordland Jet is all about. It's good to know we are on the right track, but we also learned heaps about how to improve our practices going forward... and hopefully get that GOLD next time!
Adventures with Wings and Water!
A 'Mystery Flight' on a Sunny Sunday in Te Anau
We are so unbelievably lucky to live in such an awe-inspiring area. There’s so many ways to explore Fiordland National Park and each offers its own unique perspective.
One such vehicle… Te Anau’s one and only Sea Plane!! Ivan and Kylie at Wings and Water are two top-notch humans and even better pilots. They’ve got thousands of flight hours and can make any Nervous Nelly feel safe and comfortable flying above the Kepler Mountain Range, Hidden Lakes, Doubtful, Dusky or Milford Sound and especially Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri.
After so many amazing trips down the Upper Waiau River, it’s truly an honour to see it all from the sky. They stay low enough to skim over tree avalanches and waterfalls and really see into the untouched wilderness of Fiordland National Park. WHAT A DAY!
Sir Alan Mark Hitches a Ride on Fiordland Jet
Sir Alan Mark Hitches a Ride on Fiordland Jet
A while back a boat full of lucky (and totally unsuspecting) customers got a very special Fiordland Jet Boat trip complete with commentary by Emeritus Professor Sir Alan Mark. With a distinguished career in ecology research and advocacy, Alan is best known in Fiordland for his leading role in the fight to preserve Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri.
After the visit Phil Hoskin, the Ranger at Moturau Hut on the Kepler track wrote FJet:
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Dear Nathan and staff,
I would like to express my appreciation to Fiordland Jets for transporting Alan and Pat Mark to and from Moturau Hut. I am sure that you know of Alan's deep and long-term involvement in preserving the ecological values of our lakes. It was a huge privilege and pleasure as well being very informative for me to host Alan and Pat.
Thanks for your important contribution.
Sincerely,
Phil
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Alan will be back in Te Anau for Waitangi Day (February 6th) to speak at the DOC Visitor Centre at 7:30pm. Come learn heaps about this amazing area and what it took and will take to 'Save Fiordland.'
You can bet the FJet staff will be there! Will you?
Family Funday - Everyday!
We often hear, 'I'm staying in Te Anau for a few days, what's there to do?'
The answer: HEAPS!
Hiking, biking, heli tours, plane rides, fishing, horse treks, cruises, golf, and even the cinema, just to name a few.
Our personal favourite... Jet Boating! Anyone who comes to New Zealand will hear that a jet boat trip is a 'must do' before they leave. Located on the edge of Fiordland National Park, we've got the best spot for not only a fun and exciting ride, but also to see the beautiful, untouched expanse of Fiordland. The best part is that the whole family can come along. So, grab some sunnies (maybe a spray jacket) and hang on for a ride you won't soon forget!
Check out this amazing video made by Gareth Harvey of his family having an absolute blast on our Pure Wilderness trip. The smiles on these kids’ faces says it all!
Staying Safe on the Water
With all this amazing sunny weather we’ve been having, it’s no wonder the lake has been full of boats, kayaks, swimmers, biscuits, boarders and skiers! It’s awesome to see so many people out enjoying the lake here in beautiful Te Anau. Although Lake Te Anau can be a serene and peaceful jewel here in Fiordland, it is also a force of nature not to be underestimated –
A couple days ago a visiting gentleman attempted to swim across the lake from Dock Bay without a wetsuit, life jacket, or support boat/kayak. A few locals advised the man against it, but he carried on anyway. Those folks on the beach kept an eye out but soon lost sight of him and went out to assist. They could not locate him so they enlisted some help. Luckily, Fiordland Jet had two boats in the water and began a search for the gentleman. Our skipper Rebecca caught sight of him and found him shivering and unable to swim any further. She was able to pull him out of the water and return him back to Steamer’s Beach. The man acknowledged he would not have made it had Rebecca not helped.
Big thanks to the folks aboard the Predator for keeping a keen eye out and knowing when to get help. We encourage everyone to enjoy the lake and river but please -- be smart and safe. When you are off shore wear a brightly coloured life jacket, so other boats and skiers can see you. If you see anything that is concerning please advise the necessary persons.
One thing is for sure, the Fiordland Jet Team will see ya on the water! Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!
P.S. Safety NEVER takes a holiday.
NZ's Youngest Female Driver!
We have a new Skipper!
We couldn’t be more proud to announce Rebecca Adams as our newest driver. Fresh off her year 13 exams, at 18 years old she is the youngest female commercial jet boat driver in New Zealand.... And she’s all ours!
Regardless of her age or gender, Rebecca is as skilled a driver as any. Both her instructor, Lex Mouat (former owner of Luxmore Jet) and her test administrator, Marty Black, of SMS Waterways, were awestruck by her poise, natural talent and ability to think on her toes. These guys have decades (more than they may care to admit 😉) of jet boat experience, so their praise is not taken lightly. Rebecca’s driving aptitude comes as no surprise as she spent much of her childhood on Lake Te Anau water skiing and towing friends and family. If you hadn’t guessed by the name, she is our co-owner Chris’ eldest daughter… born and raised Southlander… so jet boating is in her blood.
Here at Fiordland Jet we’re all about creating a once in a lifetime experience, and just like our other top-notch skippers, we know Rebecca will do just that! As always we’re here to remind you…Fun is Good!
Congrats Rebecca!