As thanks, the former National politician said he would pay to build the Coastguard a shed.
Having just been for a spin on his jetski last Saturday, Mr Walker came back towards the Bayview wharf and turned it off.
Due to a flat battery, however, it would not start, and instead he drifted out towards the centre of Frankton Arm.
‘‘I called seven mates but I don’t know if they’re mates because they were all out of town and I didn’t see either the ferry or the Million Dollar Cruise.’’
He then called the Coastguard.
‘‘It was getting pretty cold and dark by the time they came, I was just in shorts and a T-shirt.
‘‘And then it was very embarrassing because the police came out to make sure I didn’t drift off anywhere.’’
It was ‘‘reassuring to have the Coastguard at the end of the line, just absolute legends and heroes, Queenstown’s so lucky to have them’’, Mr Walker said.
Asking how he could make a donation that stayed local, he was told the Queenstown Coastguard was becoming the first New Zealand Coastguard to acquire a jetski, and it would need to house it.
As a result, Mr Walker promised to fund the $7000 or $8000 it would cost to build a shed.
So he does not have to be rescued again, he is also going to get a paddle and a small rope.
