OUR STORY
As a young man, John Davies spent six years working as a musterer on high country farms until one day while playing a game of cricket, he heard that a 40% shareholding in a small Queenstown transport company was for sale. He sold his dogs and dog trailer and managed to borrow the rest of the money to purchase the stake in what was then called Wakatipu Transport. That game of cricket was the start of what is today one of the largest privately-owned businesses in the country.
With construction of the Manapouri power station about to commence, it was suggested that transport companies in the Northern Southland area work together to handle the transport requirements for that project. This involved carting materials from the railhead at Mossburn, across Lake Manapouri, to the construction site at West Arm. This co-operation led to the merger of four companies in 1968 to form what was then called Northern Southland Transport Holdings Ltd, with John having a 16% shareholding.
Over the years as other shareholders wished to sell, John purchased their shares until he achieved 100% ownership in 1997. Today our transport business operates over 70 vehicles providing a full range of services to the rural community including livestock and bulk cartage as well as fertiliser spreading and waste collection services throughout Southland and Central Otago.
Whilst serving as Mayor of the then Queenstown Borough Council and subsequent Queenstown-Lakes District Council between 1983 and 1989, John decided that the future of the area was in tourism, so started to look at opportunities.
Those first steps into the tourism industry saw the purchase of the Routeburn Guided Walk in 1989, closely followed by the Greenstone Valley Walk and the Milford Track Guided Walk. Today these companies operate as Ultimate Hikes, and guide more than 11,000 guests per year through the majestic Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks.
In 1996 John purchased a 50% interest in The Hermitage Hotel at Aoraki/Mount Cook taking full ownership in 2002.
In 2002, John took a cornerstone shareholding in a new company NZSki Ltd, which had been formed to purchase the Coronet Peak, Remarkables and Mt Hutt ski areas from Air New Zealand. As he’d done before John progressively bought out the other shareholders until he achieved 100% ownership. Hosting over 700,000 guest visits and employing 1200 people each ski season, NZSki is the largest business in the Trojan stable.
In 2008, Trojan took a shareholding in A J Hackett Bungy who were the first commercial bungy operation in the world. Today with operations in Queenstown, Auckland and Taupo we help over 150,000 guests per annum to “live more, fear less”. A J Hackett Bungy have been instrumental in helping shape Queenstown’s reputation as the adventure capital of New Zealand.
Trojan’s numerous subsidiary entities operate in sectors such as contracting, concrete, fuel distribution, ski hire, commercial laundry, and software development. Significant investments have also been made in property holdings across the South Island, including interests in farming.
In the 2013 Queens Birthday honours list, John was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and tourism, having previously been awarded a Queens Service Medal in 1995 for Community Service.
In 2019, Sir John’s achievements were recognised by his peers when he was inducted into the NZ Business Hall of Fame, at a ceremony in Auckland.
Today, Trojan Holdings remains a privately owned, family business operated by Sir John, his wife Lady Trish and his family.