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Les Hutchins Inducted Posthumously into NZ Business Hall of Fame
28 July 2011
Media Release
South Island tourism pioneer and conservationist Les Hutchins was inducted posthumously into the Fairfax Media NZ Business Hall of Fame at its annual gala dinner in Auckland last night. His wife, Olive, travelled from Queenstown to accept the award.
Les Hutchins founded Real Journeys (formerly Fiordland Travel), over fifty years ago, based on his belief that “Conservation is the real cornerstone of tourism”.
Selection panel chairman Sir Eion Edgar, said he nominated Les Hutchins because he was an incredible man. “We look for people that have shown outstanding leadership in business and the community and Les ticked all the boxes. He created an amazing business from very small beginnings then put a lot back into the community with the Save Lake Manapouri campaign. He was very generous in many other ways,” said Sir Eion Edgar.
Les and Olive Hutchins began their tourism operations with a remote walking track, a couple of old boats, two huts and a dilapidated lodge at Doubtful Sound in 1954. The Hutchins became staunch defenders of the region’s environmental values. Along with other conservationists they successfully fought the proposed raising of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau. In 1973, Les Hutchins became one of the founding Guardians of the Lakes, a position he held for 26 years and spent 12 years on the New Zealand Conservation Authority.
Les was been awarded both an "Order of the British Empire" (1988) and a “Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit” (2002) for his services to tourism and conservation.
In 1994 the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation was set up to assist less advantaged groups or individuals to experience New Zealand’s southern National Parks and conservation areas. The foundation also supports conservation projects and research. As well as money gifted by Les and Olive Hutchins, the foundation receives over $50,000 every year from Real Journeys, which donates $1 per passenger on its Doubtful Sound excursions.
Today Real Journeys remains a successful privately owned company that operates a range of high quality excursions in southern New Zealand, not only in Doubtful Sound but in Milford Sound and Stewart Island. Real Journeys also operates the Te Anau Glowworm caves and the iconic steamship TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak excursions in Queenstown.
The NZ Business Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates individuals who have made a significant contribution to the economic and social development of New Zealand through enterprise. Six laureates are inducted each year.
For more information please contact:
Tsehai Tiffin – Marketing Communications Manager
Tel: 64 3 442 4830
Mobile: 021 523 899
Email: ttiffin@realjourneys.co.nz
