Pioneers AJ Hackett, Henry van Asch to celebrate 25 years

Media release from AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand
November 1 2013

Adventure tourism pioneers AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch unite to celebrate 25 years of Bungy

Adventure tourism pioneer AJ Hackett will join ex-business partner and friend Henry van Asch in Queenstown next month to celebrate 25 years since the creation of Bungy jumping in New Zealand.

Kiwi AJ founded Bungy jumping as a commercial business with Henry back in 1988 and has confirmed he will be part of the 25th Birthday celebrations on 12 November.

Speaking from Sochi in Russia, where he is currently overseeing the construction of a new site, AJ said he was looking forward to coming to Queenstown for the party and “couldn’t wait to see Henry and the team”.

“What Henry and the team have done in New Zealand is phenomenal,” said Mr Hackett.

“I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since we first started jumps at the Kawarau Bridge. I’m just so proud of what we’ve both achieved in that time.

“You’d be hard pushed these days to find anyone in the world who hasn’t heard of Bungy jumping. It’s a worldwide phenomenon.

“I love Queenstown and so as soon as Henry invited me to come to the party, I immediately said yes. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Henry van Asch said he was “stoked” AJ was able to attend the milestone event.

“I’m thrilled AJ’s coming to the party. It’ll be great to catch up and reminisce over the good old days,” he said.

“We’ll certainly be enjoying a wine or two together and the stories will no doubt flow.

“We’re both so passionate about what we do, so it’s a good chance to talk shop too and think about the next 25 years of Bungy and other personal challenges. Who knows what we’ll come up with together.”

To celebrate the impressive quarter of a century in business, the company has launched a competition for people to win the ‘Ultimate Queenstown Getaway’ and join the Bungy team at the birthday celebrations.

To enter people should film a one-minute video or submit a 150 word blog outlining what they would do to win the amazing experience.

The competition prize includes return flights to Queenstown, courtesy of Air New Zealand, from any major city in New Zealand or Australia, four nights’ accommodation in a lakeview room at Crowne Plaza Queenstown, the opportunity to experience AJ Hackett Bungy Queenstown’s activities including the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, Kawarau Zipride, Ledge Bungy, Ledge Swing, Nevis Bungy and Nevis Swing, one hour of power on a Jet boat ride with KJet, a ride up the Skyline Gondola, coupled with luge rides at the top of the hill, Go-Karting at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, dinner at Fergburger and a night on the town with the Big Night Out Pub Crawl (all for two people).

The winners will also attend the ‘not-to-be-missed’, invite-only VIP AJ Hackett Bungy 25th Birthday party on November 12 2013, along with AJ, Henry and friends.

Entries must be submitted via the competition app on AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand’s Facebook page at https://ajhackettbungynz.pgtb.me/MHsrvQ. You can also find the entry form on the AJ Hackett Bungy website at www.bungy.co.nz.

The prize will be won by the person who submits the most ‘original’ entry and the winner will be announced on November 5 2013.

The 25th Birthday milestone will celebrate the many achievements and successes of the multi-award-winning adventure tourism company, known worldwide as the ‘pioneers of bungy’.

As the official ‘World Home of Bungy’, Queenstown’s historic Kawarau Bridge will be the focus of celebrations.

From humble beginnings in 1988 when AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch were first granted a temporary consent from the Department of Conservation to set up the world’s first commercial bungy jumping operation at the bridge, AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand has become a world-renowned adventure tourism company recognised for its innovation, edgy company culture and constantly-evolving range of products.

People can follow the competition and celebrations on the AJ Hackett Bungy Facebook page and are encouraged to use the #25yearsofbungy hashtag on social media sites.

Another feature of the #25yearsofbungy campaign is the 25-day deals calendar that kicked off on October 18 – different deals are being revealed daily. To check out each daily deal visit http://www.bungy.co.nz/25bungydeals.

On November 12 students from local Queenstown primary and high schools will be joined by teachers and spectators to kick start celebrations at the Kawarau Bungy Centre.

Throughout the day and into the night fun birthday activities will include bungy stunt jumps, a giant 25th Birthday cake and the VIP party.

ENDS

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