Thunder Jet sold

Queenstown companies Thunder Jet and Queenstown Water Taxis Ltd are to be sold to Go Orange. The owner of the jet boat and water taxi operators, Neville Kelly, confirmed a conditional sale agreement had been signed. Go Orange, which includes Queenstown Rafting and Kiwi Discovery in its portfolio, is owned by tourism giant Real Journeys, which also owns and operates the TSS Earnslaw and Cardrona ski field. Kelly said the two businesses would fit in well with Go Orange’s profile: ‘‘They’ve been looking at it for a while.’’ Real Journeys spokeswoman Tsehai Tiffin said staff members were informed on Friday. ‘‘Staff were assured that they would all be offered continued employment on their current terms and conditions.’’