On International Women's Day, we are recognising the women whose creativity, hospitality and dedication shape New Zealand's most exclusive accommodation experiences and whose attention to detail ensure guests leave with exceptional memories and return time and time again.
They're a hard working team; while some are found front-of-house, others are more behind-the-scenes, but they each know how to provide the finest of touches.
Anna Corinne at The Landing
When she’s picking flowers for floral arrangements, The Landing Residence Manager Anna Corinne enjoys the excuse to wander through the colorful flower gardens and vineyards on The Landing’s sprawling coastal property in the stunning Bay of Islands.
After learning the ropes working on super yachts, Anna has landed on treasured terra firma at The Landing — an historic meeting place of land, sea and cultures, now transformed into a contemporary sanctuary with four stunning private villas, each a unique design statement filled with wonderful works of art and expansive sea views.
No day is ever the same at The Landing. While Anna’s fastidious side thrives on keeping the housekeeping humming to ensure the residences are always in sparkling condition and well provisioned, it’s adding the little welcome touches like arranging fresh flowers gathered from the gardens that feeds her creative side.
Anna says: “I love working in this amazingly beautiful place, alongside supportive owners and an awesome team. I love that the role challenges me, but the creative outlet also gives me a real sense of satisfaction.”
Lisa Hayden of Piwakawaka, Cairnbrae & The Homestead at Lake Hayes
With dream properties at her fingertips, Lisa Hayden feels enormously privileged to be working side-by-side with the owners of some of New Zealand’s most stunning homes while marketing their properties to the luxury tourism market.
It all began 10 years ago when Lisa and her family moved back to New Zealand after a seven-year stint in Melbourne. A “short sabbatical” in Arrowtown developed into a regional love affair that never quite finished as she was drawn into researching holiday villa options for friends who also wanted to experience the delights of Queenstown and New Zealand. In the end it seemed like a natural business opportunity.
Lisa is Owner's Representative in the LVONZ portfolio for three of the most exclusive private luxury villas in the southern lakes region: The Homestead at Lake Hayes is an historic 5-bedroom lakeside home, Cairnbrae is an expansive contemporary residence surrounded by vineyards, while palatial Piwakawaka occupies a vast estate on a private peninsula beside Lake Wanaka.
Lisa says: “Each property has its own special personality and wow factor which guarantee a great base to curate exceptional guest experiences. I love that my job is based on relationships with owners and guests that become deeply personal.”
Betty Wynyard, Eagles Nest
History is well and truly repeating itself for Eagles Nest’s long-serving Housekeeper Betty Wynyard. Her family links to this place go back to long before this piece of paradise became a luxury property and carry on today with three generations of the family on staff.
There is quite some history to Betty’s connections with Eagles Nest. She grew up in Russell, and her forebears were some of the earliest residents on gorgeous Tapeka Point where Eagles Nest now sits in a commanding cliff top [hillside] position looking out across the Bay of Islands. But, if you want to hear the full story and learn about Russell from a real local, then stay at Eagles Nest is recommended.
Family values are important to Betty and that’s what brought her back to Russell after 23 years away. That was 14 years ago, and since then she’s been an integral part of the Eagles Nest team taking care of the five fabulous villas so they’re always in top shape for the guests. Through her quiet, caring and wise ways, Betty has become the unofficial team matriarch.
Betty says: “This place is very special to me. I enjoy every day I’m here and love working with family and friends in a place that I have a long history with.”
Nicola Moores, Te Arai
When Nicola Moores says she knows Te Arai inside out, it’s no exaggeration. The lodge, on the Mangawhai Coast just north of Auckland, is both her home and the realisation of a shared family dream for two generations of the talented and hospitable Moores family.
The planning, build and development of the property and family business was an incredible hands-on journey for Nicola, brother Doug and parents Vince and Kathy that began long before the lodge opened in 2018. Even today, looking out from the grand Tuscan-inspired sustainable luxury lodge over the lush and bountiful permaculture gardens to the coast, it’s hard to credit just exactly how far they’ve come.
As Head Chef and Lodge Manager, Nicola brings together an incredible skill- of creative talents combined with experience in the international food industry and university studies on the history of food and Italian gastronomy in Italy. She’s also worked in the kitchens and permaculture gardens at top wellness retreats and is passionate about wellness and sustainability.
Nicola says: “Dining at the lodge is definitely a highlight for our guests. I take pride in creating bespoke experiences from romantic private dinners in the glasshouse to convivial family meals shared around the table in our kitchen courtyard. Even the prep often turns into an informal cooking class! My mum grows a lot of organic produce in our permaculture gardens that I love to showcase in our garden-to-table menu that naturally reflects the season and our special microclimate.”
MARCH 8TH 2022
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