“A giant has fallen” – tourism pays tribute to Jeroen Jongejans

23rd February 2022 By Staff Reporter | news@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker

The tourism sector has paid tribute to Jeroen Jongejans praising his achievements, his infectious positivity and his tireless advocacy of the industry.

Jongejans passed away suddenly while paddleboarding on Monday evening at Tūtūkākā Harbour with a medical event considered the probable cause.

The founder of Northland’s iconic Dive! Tutukaka led a life steeped in tourism and community service alongside his partner Kate Malcolm.

His sudden death has shocked the industry, but many found it easy to heap praise on Jongejans the man and his invaluable contribution to the sector.

Northland Inc general manager of destination Tania Burt:

“Shockwaves are still being felt throughout Tai Tokerau Northland as we all come to grips with the loss of one of our own in the industry, Jeroen Jongejans. An inspiration, mentor, leader, businessman, champion of a good cause, networking extraordinaire and all-round good guy, he has done so much for so many and we are all so lucky to have known him.

“Together, Jeroen and his partner Kate Malcolm, created the magic behind the hub of world-class visitor experiences in Tūtūkākā with Dive! Tutukaka, Perfect Day Cruises and Lodge 9. Industries couldn’t wish for better ambassadors. We now wrap our love and support around Kate, their family, friends and teams at this time. 

“Jeroen was a former director on our board here at Northland Inc and took up the challenge of sitting on our recently formed Destination Management Plan leadership advisory group, where he was determined to advance marine reserves and better practices to protect our beautiful moana.

“Thank you Jeroen, your work in this lifetime is done. Your true legacy is only just beginning. Moe mai rā e te Rangatira.”

Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy:

“So very sad to read the news about Jeroen passing away. I’ve gotten to know Jeroen pretty well over the years and visited him and Kate quite a few times at their Tūtūkākā home base. 

“What always struck me about Jeroen was his infectious positivism. He always saw opportunity to improve, to move forward and to do better. At the same he always enjoyed the here and now, making the most of life. 

“I’ve had conversations with him during the boom times and challenging times and he always saw the glass as half full. I always admired that about him as a great way to look at life and world around you. 

“He was a great supporter of and for the tourism sector. Engaged in many of TNZ’s programs from trade famils to Qualmark to PR activities and everything in between. 

“I’ve been watching the tributes and many mentions of a ‘legend’ of the industry. I would have to agree, what a legend for the industry and the amazingly positive impact it can have. 

“On behalf of Tourism New Zealand and myself, I offer our deepest condolences to Kate and Jeroen’s whanau. RIP Jeroen. You will be missed, mate.”

Tourism Industry Aotearoa spokesperson Ann-Marie Johnson:

“Everyone at TIA was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Jeroen’s untimely death, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to Kate, his family, and all the team at Dive! Tutukaka.

“Jeroen was an important member of the TIA whanau, serving on our board for seven years up to 2018, as well as five years on the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust. A true industry leader, he was always a staunch advocate for the tourism industry and TIA.

“His passion for tourism, Northland and the Poor Knights was inspirational. Even through all the challenges of the past two years, he remained positive, and generously shared his knowledge and energy with the wider tourism industry.

“Jeroen was a deserving winner of the Tourism Industry Champion title at the New Zealand Tourism Awards in 2015. Judges at the time described him as a resolute and effective ambassador for New Zealand tourism across many fronts.

“He is an inspirational industry legend who will be sorely missed.”

New Zealand Cruise Association chief executive Kevin O’Sullivan:

“Jeroen worked with us for many years to expand Northland experiences, and it was a shock to learn that one of the foremost advocates for tourism in Northland, and indeed in New Zealand, has gone far too early.

“We will miss him hugely both as a friend and as a champion of Northland and for New Zealand tourism.”

TECNZ chief executive Lynda Keene:

“We’re terribly sad to hear of the passing of one of Northland’s tourism industry pioneers, Jeroen Jongejans. Jeroen was one of the driving forces behind the evolvement of new visitor experiences in the Te Tai Tokerau region and particularly marine tourism, over the past twenty years.

“A successful and innovative entrepreneur with a love of the water and the Poor Knights Marine Reserve and his community. You could never mistake Jeroen’s passion for what he did and how much he enjoyed sharing Tūtūkākā and diving in the region with visitors.

“A very sad loss for Kate, family, the Dive! Tutukaka team and community.”

Explore Group managing director William Goodfellow:

“It was with great sadness to hear of the passing of our great friend, Jeroen. A giant has fallen.

“Loved immensely by his family and friends, inspirational to the industry, a visionary and true advocate for sustainability. Jeroen’s great sense of humour was a reminder often to enjoy and embrace life, regardless of the situation.

“A leader who had achieved so much but was still building to his prime, gone too soon but loved and remembered forever.”

Air New Zealand regional affairs manager and former head of Hamilton & Waikato Tourism Jason Dawson:

“The sudden passing of Jeroen Jongejans has left us all in shock. The whole tourism industry across the motu is reeling with the news.

“He was a proud ambassador for Northland and the Tūtūkākā coast, a tourism industry powerhouse, a pioneer in regenerative tourism, champion for the Poor Knights Marine Reserve, a positive mentor, an enthusiastic entrepreneur and a personal inspiration to many of us in the sector.

“I feel proud he was honoured as Tourism Industry Champion at the NZ Tourism Awards in 2015 to acknowledge the passion, the mahi, the kindness and the love we had for this great man. We all need to continue his powerful legacy and wrap our arms around Kate and the Dive! Tutukaka whānau.”

Holiday Parks New Zealand chief executive Fergus Brown:

“Jeroen was person who was dedicated to the wider tourism industry. He was a great listener and a person who was respected by all who had contact with him.

“He will always be remembered as a staunch advocate for Marine Reserves in New Zealand.” 

Tourism Talent managing partner and former ATEED head of tourism Jason Hill:

“He was years ahead of the industry, a pioneer of regenerative tourism and destination management, long, long before those phrases were ever coined.

“A visionary, a leader, a fighter, a mentor, and above all a gentlemen, always putting others, the environment, and the future of both, before himself.  He leaves multiple legacies for future generations of Northlanders and New Zealanders, RIP my friend.”

BYATA chair Chris Sperring:

“All at BYATA were incredibly shocked and saddened by the news of Jeroen’s sudden passing.

“He lived and breathed his kaupapa providing a guiding light for Aotearoa in marine conservation. The Tourism Industry has lost a true pioneer, a creative whizz and passionate businessman; his whānau and community have lost an inspirational and exceptional leader.

“We pass on our aroha to his extended whanau including the Dive Tuts crew.”

Maverick Digital founder and chief executive Alex Dykman:

“I am shocked and devastated by the news of Jeroen’s passing. I came to know Jeroen as an industry legend while working at TNZ, and his passion and commitment to NZ tourism, Tūtūkākā and diving – shared with Kate – was truly extraordinary.

“In later years, myself and the team at Maverick have loved working closely with Kate across their family of brands, especially with the expansion to Niue.

“To Kate and the tourism whānau, sending all of our love and strength. What an incredible legacy Jeroen has left us with. Arohanui.”

Tomahawk founder and Oodlz chief of purpose Gina Paladini:

“What truly sad news. We’ve all lost not just a champion of tourism but an enthusiastic and inspiring human who has left behind an amazing legacy.

“Our tourism whānau will miss his great energy, his leadership and that great big smile he always wore. Our thoughts are with Kate and the Tūtūkākā community he loved so much.”   

BEIA chair and former head of destination at Auckland Unlimited Steve Armitage:

“Like so many within the tourism family, I was incredibly saddened to hear of Jeroen’s passing. Tourism is blessed with so many good people who go above and beyond to make the world a better place – there is no better example of this than Jeroen. 

“His passion, commitment and enthusiasm for the many causes he championed was and will remain an inspiration to all. I didn’t have the fortune to work with him as often as I would’ve liked, but I will long remember every encounter for his openness and honesty, the wisdom he freely gave, and the quirky humour he shared.

“A truly great man gone far too soon.”

BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins:

“As was the theme of 2020 and since, I “met” Jeroen online when we both sat on the Tourism Futures Taskforce Advisory Group, along with others on those Zoom calls, I had my name at the bottom of my image. Not Jeroen, as he proudly announced himself as Dive! Tutukaka.

“Brilliant branding was not the only thing which made Jeroen stand out for newbies, like me, at the time. He was very knowledgeable, very passionate and very clear on what he felt was the future for the Tourism industry.

“We pay tribute to his entrepreneurial spirit and his deep devotion to Tourism, Northland and the ocean. Our thoughts are with his whānau including the Dive! Tutukaka team.”