Local Tourism Icon Lady Olive Hutchins Celebrates 100 Years of Adventure!

Queenstown, New Zealand - On June 7, Lady Olive Hutchins marks a remarkable milestone—she turns 100 years old. This local legend is not just a centenarian but a pivotal figure in New Zealand’s tourism landscape. Olive Hutchins, along with her late husband Les, founded the Manapouri-Doubtful Sound Tourist Company in 1954, which has since blossomed into Real NZ, offering a range of unforgettable experiences across Southern New Zealand. Family and friends will gather in Queenstown to celebrate, including many of her 28 great-grandchildren, who will be planting native trees in her honor at Walter Peak, an event that ties into her enduring love for nature and conservation.

Olive’s journey to success was paved with challenges. Born into hardship, she lost her father to tuberculosis at just two years old and was then raised by elderly relatives while her mother recuperated. Showing resilience early on, she biked 16 kilometers daily to attend Southland Girls’ High and worked in an office afterward. It was there she met her future husband, Les, at an Invercargill ball, and they married on October 6, 1948.

Building a Legacy

Their company began with multi-day walking trips to the breathtaking Doubtful Sound, an area celebrated for its stunning natural beauty. As reported by Real NZ, the business expanded to include cruises at Piopiotahi Milford Sound, glowworm cave experiences in Te Anau, and even winter sports at Cardrona and Treble Cone resorts. Olive not only navigated the challenges of running the business but also raised their children in a place where they initially lived without electricity.

Olive’s commitment to her community was as strong as her passion for tourism. Actively involved in various organizations such as Plunket and the Te Anau Presbyterian Church, she emerged as a champion for conservation, particularly during the Save Manapouri campaign in the 1970s aimed at protecting the precious landscapes of Fiordland. This grassroots effort, which mobilized widespread public support, ultimately safeguarded Lake Manapouri from hydroelectric development.

Conservation and Community

Fiordland’s unique ecosystems, shaped by over 80 million years of isolation, have been a focal point of conservation efforts. With invasive species threatening native fauna, including the endangered takahē, initiatives like the Kids Restore the Kepler project and the Cooper Island Restoration Project are crucial. Real NZ plays a significant role in these efforts and emphasizes the interconnectedness of tourism and conservation, mirroring the principles that guided Olive and Les throughout their lives. Olive’s late husband, Les, was influential in conservation circles, even serving on the New Zealand Conservation Authority for 12 years and leading various initiatives, all while pushing for the importance of protecting these unique environments.

As we celebrate Lady Olive Hutchins on her 100th birthday, we honor not just her centenary but the enduring legacy she has created within the realms of tourism and conservation. Her story is a testament to resilience, community spirit, and a deep-seated passion for nature that will continue to inspire future generations.