About
Chris Jolly Outdoors
About Chris Jolly Outdoors
Founded in 1980 by the Chris & Sue Jolly, our team loves the great outdoors in Taupō, New Zealand and sharing that with people like you. Chris Jolly Outdoors boasts an array of offerings, from scenic cruises on Lake Taupō, private charters & corporate events, fishing trips, hiking & biking trips with some of the region’s experienced guides.
Our business is built on having good boats and a great team who know how to show you a great time while you’re in town. It’s all about New Zealand’s natural environment, the native bush, the clear water, the fish and animals that live here; and more importantly the people that don’t… so you can get away from the world that’s nagging you.
Chris & Sue Jolly owned and operated Chris Jolly Outdoors until 2017 when their son Simon and his wife Katie purchased the business.
On 30 August 2019, Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board entered into a partnership with Simon and Katie Jolly to jointly own and operate Chris Jolly Outdoors. The investment by Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board supports the Board’s strategic aspirations to be more actively involved on Lake Taupō. Ultimately, the desire of Tūwharetoa is to have a stronger Māori offering on Lake Taupō whilst providing more employment opportunities.
Simon and Katie Jolly were both thrilled to be able to bring the family business into the Ngāti Tūwharetoa whanau.
Chris Jolly Outdoors is a Gold Qualmark operator. We are also an Orvis endorsed partner in New Zealand.




Reliable and experienced
After forty years in the industry, Chris Jolly Outdoors is like coming home to someone you can trust:
- We’re a family just like you (headed by Simon Jolly with a number of the clan in the team)
- We’re fishing, hiking, boating, biking, bush experts with long term staff who can teach you a lot about the Taupo region.
- Experienced tour guides lead Māori Rock Carving Cruises.
- Gold Qualmark rated (5 star rating NZ)
- Orvis endorsed for fly fishing excellence with crystal water
- Specialists in corporate, entertainment and bespoke itineraries in Taupō’s Outdoors.
- Partners with Ngāti Tūwharetoa (TMGH) with a focus on growing Māori Tourism for Taupō


What we offer
- Four private charter boats for small or large functions with full catering/bar/fishing equipment and your personal crew
- Exclusive land, private water and a tonne of experience
- Specialists in the outdoors – fly fishing, hiking, biking, hunting activities and pretty much any activity that you wish to hold in the outdoors (land or water)
- Corporate events & team building
- Venue hire on the water – whatever it is, from Nana Beryl’s 80th to your Christmas party, we can make it happen
Our Team
- Directors

Chris Jolly
Founder

Simon Jolly
General manager
Our Partners
If you feel you are aligned with our values, please get in touch. Let’s create an amazing experience together.

Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Governance members of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board are elected from and by Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board beneficiaries aged 18 years and over. The Board consists of up to ten Board Members and a Board Secretary. Each member is appointed for a term of three years.

Orvis
Orvis is the trusted source of discovery and adventure in the natural world. They are a fly-fishing and wingshooting brand, inspired by nature, driven by curiosity, and fulfilled by adventure.

Huka Lodge
Offering elegance and refinement, Huka Lodge takes pride in being one of the top luxury lodges in New Zealand. Its luxury accommodation in Taupō endears itself to discerning luxury travellers in New Zealand.

Destination Great Lake Taupō
Destination Great Lake Taupō (DGLT) is the Regional Tourism Organisation for the Taupō district. DGLT market the Taupō region to domestic and international markets.