A Love of the Outdoors / Methven’s James McKenzie
James McKenzie is a man who has lived an adventurous life and used his experiences to enrich his world and the world of those around him.
He now calls the beautiful Methven home.
Growing up in Twizel and then Tokoroa with a doctor for a father and a nurse for a mother, James McKenzie was surrounded by people driven to assist others, and strong family values. It is unsurprising then that after an illustrious international career he made the decision to return to New Zealand to raise his own family here.
While his informative schooling took place in New Zealand, James moved to the UK in 1985 to finish college and follow his passion for science and maths by studying engineering at Cambridge University.
On completion of his degree he decided to apply for a job at the UK’s Ministry of Defence to work in research and development. After successfully completing the exhaustive selection process, he was called in to the human resource department and asked to relinquish his New Zealand citizenship. ‘I was just about to sign the paperwork but this requirement was dropped on me at the eleventh hour and didn’t feel right, so I decided to look for something else,’ he shares, not ready to cut the ties with his beloved homeland.
A decision that caused his life to take a different turn, moving his career into fusion energy research for five years – during which he met wife Debs. This was followed by seven years in automotive product development. ‘I was approached by Jaguar and Land Rover to work in their technical services division. Being based in the Midlands [United Kingdom] was
great. We were pretty much two hours’ drive in any direction from the best rock climbing venues in England and just a short flight to the Alps for skiing and mountaineering,’ he enthuses.
It was during this period that the company was taken over by Ford Motor Company, opening the door for James and Debs returning to New Zealand in 2006 to provide remote support to Ford of Australia from their new home in Oxford, North Canterbury. ‘I have so many fond memories growing up in Canterbury and the Waikato and wanted my own boys to enjoy the same sense of freedom and opportunity.’This was achieved when in 2007 James accepted the role as Mt Hutt Mountain Manager and then latterly Ski Area Manager in 2012, roles that inspired him to improve the Snowsports experience and tourism opportunities in Methven. ‘We have been voted New Zealand’s best ski resort at the World Ski Awards for four consecutive years [2015, 2016, 2017, 2018], which underscores the amazing guest experience that the Mt Hutt team strive to deliver. Behind the scenes of our great natural terrain [365 hectares] a huge team effort goes on yearround – including upgrades and maintenance of infrastructure that largely goes unseen by our guests.’
James is quick to credit a few ‘inspirational role models’ who have influenced his background to be the man he is today. His father, Neil, who spent many hours building those beloved memories and cultivating James’ love of the outdoors,
and his technical graphics and maths teachers at Forest View High School, Peter Bloch and Hugh Derham, who helped forge his way into engineering.
James has learnt many life lessons through the people he associates himself with. He believes when it comes to people nothing is black and white, and that fair outcomes will only be achieved when all sides of the story have been heard. ‘I have been in situations where I think I have all the answers, but it has turned out to be the wrong approach when it comes to business and people,’ he laughs. ‘There is a lot to be said of the expression “Listen with the intent to understand rather than listen with the intent to respond”.’
He is a man who believes that being part of a community and giving back to that community holds a huge amount of reward. He believes everyone has something to offer and nobody should ever be dismissed based on preconceived judgements. ‘Everyone has potential to make a positive difference given the right opportunities and environment.’
James is the type of man who believes it’s really important to receive criticism because it keeps a man honest. Like all of us, he makes mistakes and sometimes he might fail to deliver the best. The criticism he gets makes him think, ask questions, and help to make necessary changes for the better.
As well as his role at Mt Hutt, he is also the director and project lead for Methven Adventures, a working group responsible for the impending commercial hot pools and spa development in Methven. The project was recently boosted by $7.5 million of funding from the Provincial Growth Fund and is set to come alive in 2020. Methven Adventures is a company that chooses to make ‘life adventurous for others’ and with this incredible man involved, it is guaranteed to be a success.
The humility James shows towards others, the love for his family and the dedication he has for his ongoing projects is the reason he is who he is today and the reason he strives to make life better for others.
Most people are defined by their actions, responsibilities, and choices they make, and James’ story proves that life can be made humble and simple, just by the decisions you make to enrich and enhance your life.