An email from an Akorn staff member to staff at several cruise companies, in which a range of concerns about Pounamu Tourism Group were outlined, was leaked to media last week.
Pounamu sells and markets cruise ship tours on Dunedin Railways trips on behalf of Dunedin Venues Ltd.
It has also this week signalled it is one of several parties interested in being the operator of Taieri Gorge railway tours from next year, pending a Dunedin City Council decision about the future of the line.
Director of Akorn Australia and New Zealand, Kathie Sikkes, said Akorn was disappointed internal communication became public and was investigating how the leak occurred.
‘‘We value our long-standing partnership with Pounamu Tourism Group and are committed to working closely with them to ensure the continued success of our joint endeavours.’’
Pounamu Tourism Group managing director Paul Jackson said the company had received concerned calls following a report in the Otago Daily Times about the email.
It had also received an apology from Akorn about the leak, he said.
The company was not in any trouble and its relationship with Akorn remained strong, he said.
He was reassured the directors of Akorn were dealing with the situation appropriately.
In the meantime, Pounamu was working towards coming up with sustainable business plan for operating the Taieri Gorge line, which it would present to the Dunedin City Council in due course, he said.
