Hukafalls Jet celebrates 25 years at full throttle

WILD RIDE: Iconic jet boat operator Hukafalls Jet in Taupo has expanded since opening its doors in 1990.

Iconic jet boat operator Hukafalls Jet in Taupo has just turned 25 and celebrations are well under way.

One of New Zealand's pioneer adventure tourism businesses, Hukafalls Jet has grown from a small wooden shed on the Waikato river to a thriving business.

After opening its doors in 1990, the firm has blossomed from a one-boat operation, using a 'brick' of a cellphone and minimal staff, to a four-boat business with a purpose-built base, and more than 750,000 passengers through its doors.

Hukafalls Jet is the only jet boat operator on the river offering a ride right up to the base of the thundering Huka Falls - one of New Zealand's most visited natural attractions.

It is also the only North Island commercial jet boating company to boast a female driver, who has just celebrated one year with the company.

Sarah Van Glabbeek graduated from Queenstown Resort College with an Adventure Tourism Management diploma in early 2014 and shortly after headed north to join Hukafalls Jet in a customer services role.

Four months of training later, as well as ongoing mentoring, she qualified as a commercial jet boat driver and loves taking people out on the river.

Originally known as Huka Jet the company began as a subsidiary of Ngai Tahu owned, and Queenstown based, Shotover Jet. It rebranded in December 2006 to Hukafalls Jet, at the same time launching four new state-of-the-art, twin-engine jet boats designed by Shotover Jet and built by 3D Design in Queenstown.

Hukafalls Jet is going from strength to strength, translating not only into a substantial economic benefit to the Taupo region but also offering about nine full-time jobs for locals as well as work experience opportunities for students and school leavers.

In 1999 Christchurch-based Ngai Tahu Corporation invested in the Shotover Jet Group and since then has taken full ownership of the group and has also expanded it with new acquisitions. Ngai Tahu Tourism now includes Hukafalls Jet, Shotover Jet, Dart River Safaris, Rainbow Springs, Kiwi Encounter, Franz Joseph Glacier Guides, the Hollyford Track and a joint-venture with Agrodome in Rotorua.

-To celebrate everyone buying a ride online via hukafallsjet.com until November 14 is in with a daily chance to win back their ticket purchase price.