DQ boss quits job after 8 months

Destination Queenstown chief executive Stephen Pahl resigned yesterday after fewer than eight months in the job, citing family and temporary health issues.

The former chief executive of Ecotourism Australia, Mr Pahl took over the Queenstown role in January following a nine-year stewardship by David Kennedy.

Yesterday, one business group said the surprise resignation should be used to kick-start a discussion about the future of Destination Queenstown.

In a statement, Mr Pahl said there were several reasons for leaving.

"Foremost, despite my wife's very best efforts to run her businesses from Queenstown after being unable to sell them in the current economic climate, she has found it very difficult and has had to spend much of her time in Brisbane.

"These issues have been compounded by my personal recent temporary health issues.

"We now need to reunite the family and focus on the recovery of my wife's businesses."

Neither Mr Pahl nor Destination Queenstown chairwoman Erna Spijkerbosch returned phone calls from The Southland Times yesterday.

However, in a statement Ms Spijkerbosch said ex-board member and Skyline managing director Ken Matthews would step in as "consultant" chief executive until a new appointment was made.

Mr Pahl would help Mr Matthews into the role before leaving office on Wednesday.

The Queenstown Chamber of Commerce suggested the position should not be advertised until Destination Queenstown members had had a chance to review the organisation's constitution.

The board said it would examine the issue after Wednesday's annual meeting, when three new members were expected to be appointed.

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