Helen Clark Opens New AJ Hackett Centre

Helen Clark Opens New AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand Multi-Million Dollar Centre In Queenstown

Prime Minister Helen Clark today opened AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand’s new multi-million dollar Kawarau Bungy Centre at the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown.

Helen Clark was welcomed into the Kawarau Bungy Centre at 3pm before taking a tour of the new building and unveiling a commemorative plaque.

Henry van Asch, co-founder and Executive Chairman of AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand, says he was delighted that Prime Minister Helen Clark opened the new complex and believes that the development signals a new era in the bungy phenomenon.

“We were honoured to have the Prime Minister here to celebrate the next phase for AJ Hackett Bungy. The Kawarau Bungy Centre will broaden the bungy experience for all visitors to the Kawarau Bridge, with a particular focus on spectators. We will continue to elevate the quality of adventure and interactive tourism in New Zealand.”

The environmentally designed building encompasses the design, engineering and creative talent of many top New Zealander companies such as Architects Patterson and Tyndall & Hanham structural engineers, and has taken 6 years to design and create. The Kawarau Bungy Centre has been constructed to compliment the unique landscape and historic Kawarau Bridge. The 20,000 sq ft building is constructed partially underground, complete with a living roof of native plants and low impact visual exterior.

The facility includes the Bungy Dome multi-media experience, greatly improved bungy viewing areas, interpretive and interactive areas, merchandise area and licensed cafe.

van Asch says the Bungy Dome takes visitors on a journey through the emotive states of a bungy jump and has been designed to provide those who choose not to jump an insight into why thousands of people take on the personal challenge of bungy every year. Bungy Dome was conceived and produced with the creative talents of Domain Productions Ltd and newImproved Ltd.

“Specialised products like the Kawarau Bungy Centre are what the future of the tourism industry in New Zealand is all about,” Helen Clark said. “They are also the reason why young people all around the globe regard New Zealand as the adventure tourism capital of the world.” ENDS

About Bungy New Zealand

The Bungy New Zealand group of companies (AJ Hackett Bungy - Queenstown, AJ Hackett Bungy - Auckland and AJ Gear clothing) represent innovation and commitment to excellence in adventure tourism. Inspired by the vine jumpers of Vanuatu, pioneers Henry van Asch and AJ Hackett have won international acclaim for turning bungy jumping into the personal challenge phenomenon it is today. The first commercial bungy site opened at the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown, New Zealand in 1988 and today the company operates 5 sites in Queenstown, Auckland Harbour Bridge Bungy, Auckland Bridge Climb and outdoor clothing brand, AJ Gear.

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