The Jim Boult story

Friday 16th February 2001

Jim Boult's management experience at Shotover Jet over the past decade - particularly since it listed on the Stock Exchange in 1994 - has been as bumpy as a jetboat ride.

There were disappointments from incidents over which he had no control - such as recent floods in Queenstown, the Fiji coup and consequent write-down in assets, a tornado in Mexico which ended operations there, and occasional accidents which put him in the spotlight.

According to friends, Mr Boult had had enough of phone calls on weekends from people with problems to be sorted or worse still with a major crisis. Just this week he stepped in to deal with a minor accident where a tourist sprained her wrist. A local newspaper claimed it was the 10th jet boating incident since the end of 1998.

The lowest point in Mr Boult's career was November 12, 1999 when a Japanese tourist was killed.

"It's always the nightmare of any adventure tourism operator," he said.

A compensation payment relating to the death also affected the company's bottom line profit that year. A new fleet of safety-enhanced boats is being commissioned.

The high points have been when the company received national tourism rewards and Mr Boult was able to take credit and reflect on how he had built up the company from modest beginnings. He praised his staff and management team.

Mr Boult recently stepped down from the New Zealand Tourism Board. He was coy about his plans but has some things lined up which are likely to be known soon. His immediate plan is to run a marathon. He will continue to live in Queenstown where he enjoys the company of other high flyers among the Lakes-district millionaires.

- Chris Hutching

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