Jim Boult
Govt pledges NZ tourism reboot after Covid-19
The tourism industry is preparing for a shake-up after the government announced a reboot in the wake of Covid-19. Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis says the project will re-imagine the way tourism is… Audio
Coronavirus: Queenstown counting on domestic tourism
Queenstown will have to try to sustain itself on domestic tourism as it looks towards a future with no international tourists arriving.
Otago University epidemiologist Michael Baker says the spread… Audio
Coronavirus: Queenstown's mayor fears for migrant workers
Queenstown's mayor fears thousands of migrant workers in Queenstown may struggle to have food or shelter after losing their jobs and becoming stranded.
Jim Boult says some will need urgent government… Audio
Covid-19. Queenstown test case for tourism and business
Representatives from business and tourism in Queenstown are meeting with cabinet ministers this afternoon to discuss their immediate needs in light of the Covid 19 epidemic. The Economic Development… Audio
20 passengers injured after Queenstown tour bus crash
Two people remain in Dunedin Hospital after a tour bus rolled on the Glenorchy-Queenstown road yesterday afternoon, injuring 20 passengers.
Children and adults were among those in the Chinese tour… Audio
Councils say govt funding has helped reduce freedom camper problems
As popular tourist destinations prepare for the annual influx of summer visitors, local councils say $8.5 million of government funding to promote responsible camping last year paid dividends, and… Audio
Housing affordability crisis deepens in Queenstown Lakes
Two years ago the Queenstown Lakes District Council launched ambitious plans to address housing affordability. Property values have levelled off but the crisis is still growing with high rental costs… Audio
Jim Boult takes on challengers in Queenstown mayoralty debate
No one was safe and no topic taboo as the three candidates for Queenstown Lakes' mayoralty last night shared their visions for the district. The Queenstown Chamber of Commerce mayoral debate in… Audio
Queenstown, Wanaka locals vote in favour of bed tax
Provisional results of a non-binding referendum show more than 80 percent of Wanaka and Queenstown voters back a bed tax, which would be used to help fund infrastructure. Audio
Queenstown Mayor responds to visitor levy claims
Voting is drawing to a close in a postal referendum on a proposed visitors' levy for Queenstown. The 5 per cent levy aims to raise $22.5m a year for tourist-related infrastructure but has been the… Audio
Queenstown levy: Tourists say they'll go elsewhere
The Queenstown mayor wants tourists to pay to visit the resort town and warns if they don't it could ruin New Zealand's tourism industry. Mayor Jim Boult announced the Queenstown-Lakes district would… Audio
Searing temperatures take turn as cold bites country
After weeks of searing temperatures the weather took a dramatic turn on Sunday, with temperatures plummeting as a cold snap swept across the country. Jim Boult is the Mayor of the Queenstown Lakes… Audio
What's driving congestion in Queenstown?
Motorists around Queenstown are facing increasing traffic delays with some saying it can take 50 minutes to drive less than 20 kilometres. Fingers have been pointed at road works along State Highway… Audio
Gondola pitched to solve Queenstown's commute
Queenstown people are being pitched an unconventional solution to their traffic nightmares. It's a 10 kilometre-long gondola to the Remarkables ski field which will pick up and drop off commuters… Audio
Cost of living forcing families out of Central Otago
Call it a crisis, call it a problem; one thing everyone agrees on in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes is that housing affordability is causing young families to leave. Statistics show the average… Audio
Queenstown flights may need to double by 2045
The number of flights in and out of Queenstown may have to double to cope with the expected two and half million passengers who will travelling to and from the resort by 2045. The airport's talking to… Audio
Queenstown mayor, Tourism Aotearoa boss debate levy
A levy on tourists visiting New Zealand will be in place by next year. Some think it's a great idea; some don't. Jim Boult is mayor of the Queenstown Lakes District Council and Chris Roberts is chief… Audio
Queenstown under strain: 'A burning bridge'
The strain on Queenstown's infrastructure, driven by booming tourist numbers, is causing a pressure point that cannot continue, the town's mayor says.
Weather: Mayors of NZ's hottest spots keeping cool
Mayors of Queenstown Lakes District Jim Boult and Upper Hutt, Wayne Guppy, join Guyon Espiner to discuss the hot weather. Audio
Queenstown freedom camp spot shut: 'A big win for community'
Queenstown locals are hailing the council's decision to shut down two popular freedom camping spots as a big win. Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult says freedom campers have put significant pressure on… Audio
