Tributes paid to New Zealand tourism champion Jeroen Jongejans

Following his unexpected while paddleboarding earlier this week, tributes to New Zealand tourism leader Jeroen Jongejans has been remembered for his innovation and passion.

Jongejans death was confirmed by Dive! Tūtūkākā, New Zealand’s largest diving operator, which Jongejans launched back in 1999. He was also responsible for launching Northland tourist ventures Perfect Day Ocean Cruise and Lodge9.

Jongejans and his partner Kate had also bought the tour operator Niue Blue shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, in a bid to extend their tourism investments beyond New Zealand’s borders.

A heavily involved member of his community, Jongejans was a teacher at Tikipunga High School, a member of the resident and ratepayer association for almost a decade, and a former District Councillor.

Best known for his tourism innovations and entrepreneurship, he was also on several boards, including Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Northland Chamber of Commerce and in 2015, became a Northland Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Inductee as well as being named a New Zealand Tourism Industry Champion.

A proud Dutchman and Northlander, Jeroen Jongejans was also heavily involved in getting the former Navy vessels HMNZS Tui and HMNZS Waikato, sunk off the Tutukaka coast to create artificial reefs and diving attractions.

The Department of Conservation has also paid tribute to Jongejans, particularly for his long standing-conservation work.

In a statement, DoC advised “we in the conservation world in Northland are deeply feeling the loss of Jeroen. He was a long-term active member and chair of the Northland Conservation Board and was a passionate advocate for the Poor Knights Marine Reserve, actively promoting its uniqueness and conservation value from its creation, to this day

"He tirelessly advocated for more marine protection to our government ministers, the tourism industry in New Zealand and internationally, and his local community of Tutukaka. His vibrant personality and drive for action will be sorely missed, as will his generosity in sharing his boats at Dive! Tutukaka to educate young and old about protecting our marine environment."

Dive! Tutukaka, in a Facebook post, paid homage to their owner and founder of more than 27-years, who they described as a "legend", noting "he was on the water, in his happy place - paddle boarding in Tutukaka Harbour. We are all struggling to come to terms with this loss.

"The space is full of light, love and tears, as we come together with positive memories of this legend of a man. All our flags are at half-mast, and will stay that way."

Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai noted Jongejans as a staunch and passionate advocate for Tutukaka, the district, Northland and New Zealand as a whole, noting "he stood for so many good things in life. He was always there promoting the region and tourism, and his beloved Tutukaka Coast and out and about helping out wherever he was needed.

"Jeroen was one of our most positive individuals, who was always there to help out. He was a big promoter of marine reserves and the environment. He had experienced a lot of damage to environments around the world and did not want to see that happen here."

Tim Robinson, the President of Northland Chamber of Commerce, called Jongejans “one of the good ones.

“He was a real leader across the board. He built (Dive! Tūtūkākā) into one of Northland's leading businesses, famous worldwide and was incredibly community focused.

“The thing that sticks most in our mind was he was a positive person, always focused on ‘where can we get to next’, and in talking to Kate, she always said he had this amazing sort of drive and energy.

“You could only focus on the positive with him, and we appreciated him for that.”

Fish of the Day presenter and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's husband to be, Clarke Gayford, wrote on Twitter that Jongejans was a driving force behind Poor Knights Marine reserve, leaving “one hell of a legacy”.

Jongejans' love of giving back to the community around him didn't go unnoticed. In 2015, he became a Northland Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Inductee. That same year he was named a New Zealand Tourism Industry Champion.

Image: Jeroen Jongejans, including his becoming a Northland Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Inductee in 2015 (middle). Credit: Jeroen Jongejans.