Ngāi Tahu Tourism takes to the skies with new purchase
Ngāi Tahu Tourism has signed a deal to purchase Queenstown’s leading scenic helicopter business, Glacier Southern Lakes
Helicopters.
The purchase is a significant investment for the iwi-owned company which will become the full owner of Glacier Southern
Lakes Helicopters, which offers scenic flights and luxury charter services.
Ngāi Tahu Tourism Chief Executive, Quinton Hall, says the scenic helicopter business is an ideal fit for Ngāi Tahu
Tourism and will enhance its iconic experiences in the region.
“We are really excited to acquire this well-known local business and continue our focus on making connections and
delivering memorable experiences for our customers.
“Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters has a reputation of providing superb service and their team is highly-skilled,
professional and extremely experienced.”
Mr Hall says the purchase will open up opportunities for new experiences for Ngāi Tahu Tourism customers.
“By adding a fleet of helicopters to our business, we will literally be able to connect our customers to and from our
existing experiences, both in Queenstown and Glenorchy and on the West Coast at Franz Josef,” he says.
Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters has been operating in Queenstown since 1980, and is currently the ‘number one
helicopter company’ on Trip Advisor.
Owner and operator, Pat West, will remain with the company for the next four years and will take on the role of General
Manager Aviation, with responsibility for all aviation across the Ngāi Tahu Tourism portfolio.
Mr West says he is hugely proud of the success of his team and Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters.
“We deliver a truly professional service, with immaculate presentation of our aircraft so that passengers enjoy the most
comfortable experience possible,” he says.
“Ngāi Tahu Tourism is a leader in the industry and this is a great opportunity to grow Glacier Southern Lakes
Helicopters, together with all the existing Ngāi Tahu Tourism brands.”
ENDS