Candace Smith

My working career spans over 3 decades and perhaps with a little GST in various positions and facets of the tourism and hotel industry. The last 7...

Malisa Nguyen, the owner of Luna Bakehouse and a digital marketing agency, has recently become the Regional Manager for Auckland Central at...

I began in the Hospitality industry back around 2011 when I was studying a BMS at Waikato university, from there I quickly learned that the industry...

Shane started his career in 2000, completing his London City and Guilds in cookery at Whitireia Polytech. He spent the next 20 years working...

As a born and bred Top of the South Islander, I built my professional career over eight years managing award-winning restaurants in Nelson Tasman....

Nikki joined the Hospitality New Zealand team in May 2021 after more than 12 years working in the Service Industry Training Organisations, ATTTO and...

Brendan joins us at Hospitality New Zealand. With 18 years of industry experience and having managed Hospitality venues in Dunedin and Queenstown...

John entered the Hospitality industry 14 years ago when he purchased Trumps Café in Kaikohe. Three years later he and his wife Gayleen purchased The...

President of Hospitality NZ Auckland branch since 2021, and part of the executive committee for the past 6 years, Jamie Freeman comes from not only a...

Born and raised in Rotorua with 25 years hospitality experience across New Zealand and Australia. A strong desire to return home and the opportunity...

Reg has developed, owned and operated many bars in Rotorua over the last 30 years. He first started in the industry in Port Melbourne, Victoria!...

Collen has been managing the Masonic Hotel in Palmerston North for the past 17 years and has been Branch President for approximately 13 years. She...

Having spent over 28 years in the hospitality industry, I find it fair to say that it is an area I love. I have worked in numerous countries,...

I have been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years now, from working in bars and café’s during my college & university days to know running...

Born in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) I soon found my passion for people and hospitality. Having been fortunate enough to travel a lot as a child,...

Colin started in the hospitality industry at the age of 14 helping in a local kitchen in a small town in the UK and later trained as a chef. He moved...

Originally from the United Kingdom Jeremy migrated to Queenstown in 2009 and quickly fell in love with the local Hospitality Scene. Over his 4 years...

Mark Scully opened the first Speights Ale House in August 1999 which is situated next to the Speights Brewery in Dunedin. He previously worked for...

Cameron is the executive chef and co-owner of The Fat Duck, Te Anau.Cameron trained to be a chef at Christchurch Polytechnic, in New Zealand but has...

Nick owns Schnappa Rock Restaurant in Tutukaka, Wahi at Oceans and Core Fitness also in Tutukaka. Nick has been in Hospitality and Tourism his whole...

Starting in business in Timaru as a self-employed massage therapist and was a co-owner of Zest until 2022. This has given me an understanding of the...

Jeremy is a shareholder and a director of The Trinity Group based in Wellington. The Trinity Group owns hotels, restaurants and bars in the lower...

President of Hospitality NZ Auckland branch since 2021, and part of the executive committee for the past 6 years, Jamie Freeman comes from not only a...

After spending more than 20 years managing in some of Asia’s most exciting hotels for Hyatt International & Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Japan, Bali,...

Simon White commenced his career in the hospitality industry in 1989, working his way up through the industry for various hotel chains in Australia...

I’ve been involved in the hospitality industry here in NZ for over 20 years. Along with my business partner, James Ace, we have built Future...

My husband Dean and I bought out his business partner from the Valley Inn Tavern in 2014 and then subsequently bought Protocol Bar in 2017. We then...

With a career spanning over four decades in the hospitality industry, my journey began in 1983 with the Hotel Association Chef Training apprentice...

Jessica is an experienced commercial lawyer with a speciality and interest in hospitality matters. She has been practising law since 2008. In 2021...

Masters of Arts (Hons) in Political Science (University of Auckland). Steve is of Ngāpuhi descent with strong familial connections to Whangārei and...

Matt Padernal is a dynamic professional with a passion for the tourism and hospitality industry. With a career spanning decades, Matt has established...

Lee joined Hospitality NZ in February 2023. Lee’s career has spanned over 20 years including large multinationals across Australia and New Zealand,...

Sam joined the Hospitality NZ team in September 2020 as Senior Policy Advisor. Sam has held a number of policy roles within membership organisations,...

Originally from England, Darelle moved to New Zealand in 2010 and has worked in the Hospitality and Tourism sector since. Darelle has extensive...

Rab joined the Hospitality NZ Team in February 2021. He is a chartered accountant whose financial management and accounting career spans over 15...

Tim joined Hospitality New Zealand in November 2019. Tim spent 20 years in private practice, before spending the last 6 years working in-house. In...

Shontelle joined Hospitality New Zealand back in 2013 as an Administration Assistant. From here she has also held the positions of Member Services...

Fifteen years ago, I left Scotland on a six-month round-the-world trip! Clearly it didn’t play out that way…Instead, I have had an amazing...

Candace Smith has been with Hospitality New Zealand for four years, playing a crucial role in launching the organisation's skills and training...

Megan has been at the forefront of sustainable tourism for over 20 years. She has developed and led successful sustainability capability building...

Aimee Young is an experienced Social Media, PR, and Events Manager with a strong background in the marketing and advertising industry. She has a...

Mike is a multi-faceted digital content producer with a passion for filmmaking and photography. His work gravitates towards documenting stories of...

Will is a versatile professional known for his strategic vision and excellence in business operations, product management, client relations, and...

Lexie joined the team at Hospitality NZ in October 2021. She graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with Mathematics and Chinese Degrees....

After spending more than 20 years managing in some of Asia’s most exciting hotels for Hyatt International & Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Japan, Bali,...

Position Awaiting Appointment

After a career as a travel agent, in 2012 I purchased a motel lease and found that I loved the industry. Five and a half years later I was ready to...

Tony and his wife Tina Bullot own and operate 850 Cameron Motel, a 22-unit 4 star plus motel in Tauranga. Purchasing the Motel in late 2015, Tony and...

Born and raised in Rotorua with 25 years hospitality experience across New Zealand and Australia. Jayesh has strong background in hotel operations,...

Kordula has been in the hospitality industry ever since she came to New Zealand from Germany in 1995 when she bought the Holiday Park in Ohakune and...

I have been in the motel industry coming up 8 years. Started in Queenstown and now in Blenheim. Passionate about my job and following closely on...

Max Reelick has operated Palazzo Motel in Nelson on Rutherford Street for 5 years, along with his wife Robyn.It is a luxurious 5 Star,...

As a child I grew up on caravanning holidays around England, sleeping out in the awning listening to the rain & wind all around! Being outdoors...

Jeff is a Christchurch local who, like many others, yearned for more. Most headed to Europe for their OE but Jeff chose Japan and it was some 20...

I am a proud opiniated Southlander with my family coming from the coal fields of Southland. I am married with three adult children and for the last...