Kawarau Jet has suspended operations after a fatal incident on the Kawarau River.
A Chinese tourist is dead after a jetboat flipped during a trip on the Kawarau River on Thursday afternoon
Her body was later found in the upturned hull of the boat.
Another 22 others in her travel group were hurt; eight are still in hospital.
Kawarau Jet director Andrew Brinsley says river conditions were ideal and every possible safety measure was in place. However, they were not wearing seatbelts.
Mr Brinsley says the driver is one of the company's most experienced staff members.
Queenstown harbour master Marty Black has defended how the rescue was handled.
Members of the group say it took an hour and a half before rescuers were able to turn the boat over.
Mr Black says lifting the boat - which weighed almost three tonnes - had to be done safely and with professional people and unfortunately that took some time.
