Queenstown Lakes District mayor Jim Boult celebrated the re-opening of the district’s tourism industry yesterday (Thursday May 14) with a dawn bungy jump from AJ Hackett Bungy.

Jim and AJ Hackett Bungy co-founder Henry van Asch were among the first jumpers off the Kawarau Bridge this morning as New Zealand moved into alert level two following the seven-week COVID-19 lockdown.

“I’m delighted to be able to mark the reopening of the home of Bungy, even if it means jumping off a bridge first thing in the morning,” Jim said, adding it wasn’t his first Bungy leap.

Jim, dressed in a suit and pink tie, and with his mayoral chains pinned to his shirt, called out “This I do for Queenstown. We’re back!” before leaping off the bridge.

The mayor said it was “wonderful” to see so many businesses in the area reopening.

Watch the video of Jim's jump here.

“Though these are tough times for all businesses across the district, we’re embracing alert level two and the cautious reopening that it is allowing. We are still the country’s premier visitor destination, with a recent poll showing Queenstown as the number one tourist destination for New Zealanders, closely followed by Wanaka at number five. 

That enthusiasm for local travel will bring a much-needed boost to our local economy and the thousands of locals that will benefit from the return to work this will deliver. I look forward to welcoming visitors to our district from across the country.”

Henry van Asch said the move to alert level two was a positive step that deserved to be marked with “literally, a big leap forward”.

Need an employee? Look in Work wanted in your Wanaka App

He said the COVID-19 pandemic, while catastrophic for New Zealand tourism, provided an opportunity to rethink tourism.

“There’s been a feeling that we’ve had too many visitors to New Zealand for some time, so it’s important we make the most of the opportunity to re-create tourism – and look towards an industry that not only contributes to our economy but makes New Zealand a better place for all New Zealanders.”

The adventure tourism operator is also offering $88 jumps, for a short time, to mark the year Bungy opened (in 1988) and as a thank you to Kiwis for helping bring COVID-19 under control, Henry said.

PHOTO/VIDEO: Supplied