RealNZ

Last updated

RealNZ
Company typePrivate
IndustryTourism, travel
PredecessorsWayfare Group, Real Journeys
Founded2021
Headquarters
Queenstown
Area served
Stewart Island, Fiordland, Doubtful Sound, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wānaka, Christchurch
Key people
Dave Beeche (CEO)
Website www.realnz.com/en/

RealNZ is a New Zealand tourism company based in Queenstown. The company offers a range of travel, cruises and excursions in Queenstown, Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, Te Anau, Fiordland and Stewart Island / Rakiura. [1] It also operates two skifields Cardrona Alpine Resort, and Treble Cone, and the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. The company is the successor of a series of acquisitions in the South Island tourist sector over more than 60 years. [2] The brand RealNZ was launched in October 2021 to bring together multiple brands and businesses including Real Journeys that were previously part of the Wayfare Group, although some of the businesses have retained individual branding. [3]

Contents

History

Les Hutchins and his wife Olive originally bought the Manapouri-Doubtful Sound tour company in 1954. Their next acquisition was the company Fiordland Travel that had been set up to provide tours of the Te Anau-au glowworm caves. In the late 1960s, the Hutchins bought the TSS Earnslaw. Then they moved into Milford Sound / Piopiotahi and competed with government tourism. From 2002, Fiordland Travel Ltd operated all tourist excursions under the Real Journeys brand, and the company name was changed to Real Journeys Ltd in 2006. [4] [5]

In 2002, Les Hutchins was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to conservation and tourism. [6]

A separate company Fiordland Explorer Cruises was first incorporated in July 2012, but the name was changed to Go Orange in August 2013. [7]

The purchase of the Cardrona Alpine Resort ski area in 2013 is one of its most significant acquisitions. [8] Real Journeys purchased Christchurch's International Antarctic Centre in 2015. [9] The group of companies owned by Real Journeys include the Stewart Island Experience launched in 2004 and Wild Kiwi Encounter, operated as a joint tourism venture with the Rakiura Maori Lands Trust, which was purchased in 2016. [10]

Queenstown Rafting, in which Real Journeys had been a 50% partner since 1996, was bought outright in 2016 along with the company's associate coach services company Kiwi Discovery. [4] [11]

The Wayfare Group was formed in 2018 as a holding company for the multiple offerings, but was relaunched as RealNZ on 1 October 2021. [3]

The majority of the RealNZ company is still owned by the Hutchins family, through a holding company Real Group. [11] [12]

Air tourism

In 1987, Fiordland Travel established a sightseeing and shuttle air service between Queenstown and Milford Sound using Cessna aircraft initially, followed by the introduction of Nomad aircraft. [13] In 1993, the Fiordland Travel airline operation and the Mount Cook Airlines service to Milford merged to form a joint venture named Milford Sound Flightseeing. Fiordland Travel subsequently purchased the company outright. After the re-branding as Real Journeys, it combined its fixed wing airline services with those of Totally Tourism in another joint venture called Milford Sound Flights. Totally Tourism's 50 per cent shareholding was subsequently purchased by Skyline Enterprises, and in late 2015 Real Journeys sold its half share to Skyline, retaining a supply agreement for air services to Milford. [14] [15]

Management

The Chief Executive of the Real Journeys group (rebranded as Wayfare Group) between 2012 and 2020 was Richard Lauder, who led the group through a period of major acquisitions. [16] In October 2020, Stephen England-Hall who was previously the Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand, announced that he would be taking up the Chief Executive role. [17]

In the 2021 New Year Honours, the General Manager of Real Journeys and Go Orange, Paul Norris, [18] was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the tourism industry and conservation. [19]

Travel and excursions

Real Journeys Milford Sound cruise vessel Real Journeys Milford Sound Ship.jpg
Real Journeys Milford Sound cruise vessel

The company offers a wide range of tourist travel, excursion and adventure activities including: [20] [21]

Rafting trips include the Shotover, Kawarau and Landsborough Rivers. [22]

From October 2021, the experiences previously marketed under the Real Journeys and Go Orange brands were consolidated under the RealNZ brand. [3]

Vintage steamship

Real Journeys office on Steamer Wharf in Queenstown Real Journeys Queenstown.JPG
Real Journeys office on Steamer Wharf in Queenstown

The TSS Earnslaw was launched by the Government on Lake Wakatipu in 1912, and provided services transporting sheep, cattle and passengers to the surrounding high country stations, under the ownership of the New Zealand Railways Department. However, by the 1960s there was talk of scuttling the vessel. [23] She was chartered to a private syndicate at the eleventh hour on 1 January 1969, but the new ownership was short lived, Fiordland Travel then applied for and was granted the lease of the historic steamer, and on 12 December 1969 began transporting freight and passengers to the head of the lake under their colours. [24] In 1982 the company purchased the vessel outright. [23]

In 1991, Fiordland Travel secured the lease of the Walter Peak high country farm tourist operation and the TSS Earnslaw began daily excursions to the station on the western shores of Lake Wakatipu. Visitors to Walter Peak today are offered a farming experience, guided cycling excursions and horse trekking. [23] The TSS Earnslaw also provides transport to the historic Colonel's House restaurant at Walter Peak, a popular dining out venue for visitors and Queenstown residents.

The TSS Earnslaw, is known as the Lady of the Lake, and is one of New Zealand's best known tourism icons. When she celebrated her 100th birthday in October 2012 thousands of people took part in the festivities. [25] TSS Earnslaw is claimed to be the oldest coal-fired passenger steamship in the southern hemisphere still operating as a fully commercial venture. [23] In October 2021, the owners announced that they were investigating carbon-neutral or carbon-zero means of powering the vessel. [26]

Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone

Captains Basin view at Cardrona Skifield Captains Basin view at Cadrona Skifield.jpg
Captains Basin view at Cardrona Skifield

Cardrona is an alpine resort in New Zealand's South Island, near Wānaka. The ski field ranges from 1,260m to 1,860m. The distribution of slopes is 25% beginner, 25% intermediate, 30% advanced and 20% expert. [27]

Cardrona was purchased by Real Journeys in 2013. [28]

In December 2019, the Commerce Commission gave approval for the purchase of Treble Cone Investments Ltd by Cardrona Alpine Resort. [29] In early 2020, Cardrona reported that they were working towards merging the operations and marketing of the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski resorts. [30]

International Antarctic Centre

International Antarctic Centre International Antarctic Centre.jpg
International Antarctic Centre

The International Antarctic Centre is located in Christchurch, immediately adjacent to Christchurch Airport. The Antarctic Centre provides a range of visitor experiences including:

In October 2015, Real Journeys purchased the International Antarctic Centre from Christchurch Airport. [9]

Conservation initiatives

The original founder, Les Hutchins, had a lifetime interest in conservation issues, particularly in Fiordland National Park. Les was appointed as one of the founding Guardians of the Lakes in 1973, and held that position for 26 years. He was also a founding patron of the New Zealand National Parks and Conservation Foundation, and was a member of the New Zealand Conservation Authority for 12 years. [11] [31]

Real Journeys has organised an annual Birds of the Feather charity ball, to help fundraise for the Department of Conservation's work in the area. In 2015, the inaugural ball raised $40,000 for the preservation of the endangered kākāpō. [32] In 2016, the function raised $65,000 for the Tamatea/Dusky Sound Restoration Project. Some of the funds were earmarked for a $300,000 project, adopted by Real Journeys, to make Cooper Island in Dusky Sound predator free. [33]

In 2013 Real Journeys purchased a 155-hectare (380-acre) site it had previously leased at Walter Peak on the far shores of Lake Wakatipu and embarked on a major land restoration project. [34] In 2015, the company was awarded a Department of Conservation Certificate of Appreciation, for its role in clearing the land of vast areas of invasive wilding pines that threaten the Queenstown and Central Otago landscape, and replacing them with native bush and grassland. [35] [36] The Certificate of Appreciation also recognised the company's kakapo fundraising and awareness projects and relocation support for the rare whio (blue duck) from the Milford Track to near the Routeburn Track to help boost breeding pairs. [37]

The Leslie Hutchins Conservation Fund was set up by Sir Les Hutchins before his death to support efforts to protect and preserve New Zealand's southern lakes and conservation areas. The aim of the fund is also to reduce financial barriers to allow all New Zealanders to experience and enjoy Fiordland, particularly people who are "at risk" or disadvantaged. [38] Every year, the visitors that the company brings to Doubtful Sound contribute more than $50,000 to this fund via a $1 passenger levy. Projects supported in the past include dolphin research, protection programmes for endangered birds, track and interpretation signage, outdoor education camps and wilding pine eradication. [39] [38]

Awards

In 2013, Real Journeys was a winner of the Operator of the Year Award at the Tourism Export Council's annual conference. [40] Real Journeys was a joint winner of the same Operator of the Year award at the Tourism Export Council's conference in 2015. [41]

In 2017, Real Journeys won the People's Choice award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards ceremony held in Christchurch. [42]

Also in 2017, Real Journeys won the Supreme Award at the 20th Diversity Awards run by Diversity Works NZ. The award citation commended Real Journeys for its training initiative that utilises the experience of older workers to provide learning opportunities for young people in Otago and Southland. [43]

The company has also received Certificate of Excellence awards from Trip Advisor for 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Real Journeys won an inaugural Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Award in 2019. Only seven companies received this award – from 41 finalists and over 100 entrants. [44]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queenstown, New Zealand</span> Resort town in New Zealands South Island

Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It has an urban population of 29,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milford Sound</span> Fiord in the southwest of New Zealands South Island

Milford Sound is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It has been judged the world's top travel destination in an international survey and is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. Rudyard Kipling called it the eighth Wonder of the World. The fiord is most commonly accessed via road by tour coach, with the road terminating at a small village also called Milford Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiordland</span> Geographical region of New Zealand

Fiordland is a geographical region of New Zealand in the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the westernmost third of Southland. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep lakes, and its steep, glacier-carved and now ocean-flooded western valleys. The name "Fiordland" comes from a variant spelling of the Scandinavian word for this type of steep valley, "fjord". The area of Fiordland is dominated by, and very roughly coterminous with, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand's largest National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Anau</span> Town in Southland, New Zealand

Te Anau is a town in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand. In Māori, Te-Anau means the Place of the Swirling Waters. It is on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland. Te Anau is 155 kilometres north of Invercargill and 171 kilometres to the southwest of Queenstown. Manapouri lies 21 kilometres to the south. Te Anau lies at the southern end of the Milford Road, 117 kilometres to the south of Milford Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawarau River</span> River in the South Island of New Zealand

The Kawarau River is a river in the South Island of New Zealand. It drains Lake Wakatipu in northwestern Otago via the lake's Frankton Arm. The river flows generally eastwards for about 60 kilometres (37 mi) and passes through the steep Kawarau Gorge until it joins Lake Dunstan near Cromwell. Before the construction of the Clyde High Dam, the Kawarau joined the Clutha River / Mata-Au in a spectacular confluence at Cromwell. The Shotover River enters the Kawarau from the north; the Nevis River enters it from the south. With many rapids and strong currents, the river can be dangerous and has claimed many lives. It is popular for bungy jumping and kayaking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Wakatipu</span> Lake in the South Island of New Zealand

Lake Wakatipu is an inland lake in the South Island of New Zealand. It is in the southwest corner of the Otago region, near its boundary with Southland. Lake Wakatipu comes from the original Māori name Whakatipu wai-māori.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Ana-au Caves</span> Cave

The Te Ana-au caves are a culturally and ecologically important system of limestone caves on the western shore of Lake Te Anau, in the southwest of New Zealand. They were re-discovered in 1948 by Lawson Burrows, who found the upper entry after three years of searching, following clues in old Māori legends. It later became a major tourist attraction for the area, as the part of the caverns close to the lake shore is home to glowworms. The unofficial name used by the national caving association is Aurora. The caves are geologically young and hence there is only one tiny stalactite.

TSS <i>Earnslaw</i>

TSS Earnslaw is a 1912 Edwardian twin screw steamer based at Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand. She is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Central Otago, and the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere.

The following lists events that happened during 1912 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardrona Alpine Resort</span> Ski field in the South Island of New Zealand

Cardrona Alpine Resort is an alpine resort in New Zealand's South Island. The ski field ranges from 1,260m to 1,860m. The distribution of slopes is 20% beginner, 25% intermediate, 30% advanced and 25% expert. There are 2 detachable quad chairlifts, 2 fixed-grip quad chairlifts, 1 detachable express chondola, 3 surface conveyor learner lifts and 1 platter lift to service the halfpipes and big air jump. Snowmaking supplements the 2.9m average annual snowfall. Freestyle Snowboarding and skiing are well catered for with 2 half-pipes and 4 terrain parks. There is also a "high performance centre" which trains more advanced skiers and snowboarders. Families with infants and young children can use child care facilities provided in the Cardrona Nursery and Ski Kindy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Antarctic Centre</span> Antarctic Centre and tourist attraction in Christchurch

The International Antarctic Centre is a visitor attraction and public science discovery centre in the suburb of Harewood, Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located at Christchurch International Airport, adjacent to the buildings that are the Christchurch base for the Antarctic programmes of the US, New Zealand and Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Scenic Route</span> Road in New Zealand

The Southern Scenic Route is a tourist highway in New Zealand linking Queenstown, Fiordland, Te Anau and the iconic Milford Road to Dunedin via, Riverton, Invercargill and The Catlins. An Australian travel magazine labelled it "one of the world's great undiscovered drives" in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Milford Sound</span>

Transport in Milford Sound in New Zealand is characterised by the remoteness of the area in which it is located. As a popular tourism destination in the South Island, Milford Sound and the village of the same name receive very large numbers of visitors. These tend to arrive and depart within just a few hours each day, as there is little accommodation at the village, leading to strong demand peaks for tourism services during the noon and early afternoon period. The journey from Te Anau is rated as one of the most photographic drives of the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Highway 94 (New Zealand)</span> Road in New Zealand

State Highway 94 is a New Zealand state highway connecting the large Southland town of Gore with one of New Zealand's most popular destinations, Milford Sound. It also passes the significant townships of Lumsden and Te Anau as well going through the Homer Tunnel. The road also goes through Fiordland and crosses the Main Divide of the Southern Alps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haast-Hollyford road</span> Road in New Zealand

The Haast-Hollyford road or Haast-Hollyford Highway is a long-standing proposal to link Haast via the Hollyford Valley to Milford Sound and Te Anau in the South Island of New Zealand. Proposals for this road have been mooted since the 1880s.

Glenorchy Air is a scenic flight and air charter company based at Queenstown Airport, New Zealand. The company was founded by Janet and Robert Rutherford in 1992, with just one aeroplane, a Cessna 185. With the expansion of the business, a second aircraft, a Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six, was purchased in 1996. The Cessna 185 was sold in 2003 when it was replaced by a new Gippsland GA8 Airvan. The company took delivery of a second Airvan in 2013 and added two more before the business was sold in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caley Hall</span>

Caley J. Hall is classified as a listed New Zealand investment artist in Invercargill and Queenstown, New Zealand. Hall specializes in oil painting, and is well known for his Fiordland landscapes and expressionist abstracts. A largely self-taught artist, he has learned techniques and takes inspiration from other New Zealand artists, including renowned Queenstown-based painter Tim Wilson, Canterbury wilderness artist Nathanael Provis and Central Otago-based painter Peter Beadle. He exhibited his large abstracts at the Peppers Bluewater Resort in Tekapo in 2012.

Leslie Hutchins was a New Zealand tourism operator and conservationist. Together with his wife, he bought a tourism company in 1954 that is today RealNZ; it still remains mostly in family ownership. Hutchins was one of the founding members of the Save Manapouri campaign and became one of the initial six Guardians of Lake Manapouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milford Sound (village)</span> Place in South Island, New Zealand

Milford Sound is a small village located deep within Fiordland National Park in the Southland Region of New Zealand. It is located at the head of the fiord also called Milford Sound. The village and fiord are one of the most visited places in New Zealand, receiving about one million day visitors per year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve</span> Marine reserve in New Zealand territorial waters

Taipari Roa Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 613 hectares around Elizabeth Island, in the inner Doubtful Sound / Patea of Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

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