Celebrations are underway for the 50th anniversary of tourism company Shotover Jet.
A Maori stone is being uncovered onsite today to mark the occasion, with industry members and past and present owners in attendance.
Finance Minister Bill English and Sir Tipene O'Regan will be out on the Shotover River today as well.
Ngāi Tahu Queenstown marketing manager Nigel Kerr says the company has come a long way and it was exciting to celebrate its history today.
"It's great, and actually the key thing is it's turning out to be really fun. We're a fun experience - that's what we're all about," he says.
Around 1500 school children in the Wakatipu area get to experience the ride for free this month as part of the celebrations.
Tomorrow, locals get discounted rides and money is being raised for charity. Customers who are turning 50 this month also get a ride for free.
Mr Kerr says the company is gearing up for a big few days of celebrations.
"All the drivers are in 1970s uniforms, with their captain's hats, white shirts and ties. It's looking a treat out there on the beach."
Shotover Jet has attracted millions of passengers over the years, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last year, which Mr Kerr says was a "huge media storm".
"Prior to that I look back at Kenny Rodgers and people like that and think actually those are real worldwide international celebrities as well. Everyone knows the words don't they?"
The company currently thrills just over 140,000 passengers a year, a little more than the 6500 in its first years of operating in the 1960s.
"We've had 50 really good years and you come to work and you leave laughing. I can only hope that the next 50 years are the same," Mr Kerr says.
Back in 1965, the Melhop brothers started what was to become the first jet boat operation in the world.
With a Hamilton Jet 30 boat and Herm Palmer the driver who doubled as a mechanic, the beginnings of Shotover Jet were born.
The brothers operated the business from the beach at Arthurs Point for a year before selling to Mr Palmer and his wife May in 1966.
The company changed hands again in 1970, when new owner Trevor Gamble commenced operations as Shotover Jet Gorge - the jet carried 6500 passengers in its first year.
Over the next few years, Shotover Jet transitioned into more of a thrill-seeking experience from the sightseeing one it had been previously. In 1977, the company carried its 100,000th passenger.
By the time 1986 came around the company was half way to its millionth customer and was bought by Queenstown's Armada Holdings. The jet boat fleet was converted to use LPG fuel and fitted with new motors.
The company got the royal seal of approval with a visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990.
The company carried its millionth milestone in 1995 and the following year set another record carrying over 100,000 passengers in just one year.
Ngāi Tahu purchased 80 percent of the company in 1999, and had permission to operate four jet boats at one time on the Shotover River.
Today, Ngāi Tahu own 100 percent of the company, which has now thrilled over 3.5 million passengers in the iconic red jet boat.
3 News
