Our People
From passionate owners and dedicated staff to our award-winning chefs and greenskeepers, the teams at Robertson Lodges are dedicated service professionals, committed to making your stay a truly unforgettable experience.
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Fiona Winger
Lodge Manager
When did you start with the company:
September 2021
Notable previous employment:
Having just returned to New Zealand after 16 years abroad, I spent my most recent years managing Six Senses Resorts in Fiji and the Maldives.
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
Sharing our intentions with guests by ensuring they know that the lodge team are here to deliver unforgettable experiences. By connecting with our guests from the moment they arrive, we are able to create these special moments for them to make lifelong memories together.
What is your favourite travel experience? And why?
Experiencing the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) on the shores of the Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories of Canada – it really was breath-taking!
Jonathan Rogers
Head Chef
When did you start with the company:
September 2011
Notable previous employment:
Bay of Many Coves resort, Spire Hotel
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
Sharing New Zealand’s finest produce with our guests. Best way to explore is a walk through our on-site vegetable garden
What is your favourite travel experience? And why?
New York City due to variety of different restaurants
Callum Farnell
Director of Hospitality
When did you start with the company:
February 2019
Notable previous employment:
The Savoy - London, Solitaire Lodge - Lake Tarawera, Eagles Nest - Bay of Islands, Lake Kora - Upstate New York, Annandale - Akaroa
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
Sharing the sublime natural beauty New Zealand has to offer, while enjoying truly memorable lodging, food and wine experience.
What is your favourite travel experience? And why?
Although travelling extensively worldwide, I now prefer to explore all that New Zealand has offer.
Edson Ribeiro
Maintenance Manager
When did you start with the company:
I started at Matakauri Lodge in September 2012 when I moved to New Zealand from Brazil.
Notable previous employment:
I was a Lawyer in Brazil and left everything behind to start over again in New Zealand.
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
All of the activities that there is to do around Queenstown, especially the hiking, fishing and snowboarding. Sharing my experiences in Queenstown makes me relive those moments of enjoyment and remind me why I choose Queenstown as home.
What is your favourite travel experience? And why?
I love traveling along Brazil’s coastline. Now going back to Brazil as a tourist makes me feel so proud of my origin.
Nicki Corson
Housekeeping Manager
When did you start with the company:
I started working for Matakauri Lodge in August 2009 when the Robertson family first brought it.
Notable previous employment:
I was a teacher support, specialising in English as a second language, sign language and special needs.
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
My experiences as a local, and sharing about living in this beautiful town. Our guests are always so interested in our own stories.
What is your favourite travel experience? And why?
Traveling around the South Island, there are just so many beautiful parts of this entire region ranging from the Central Otago Vineyards at harvest time to the Petrified Forest in the wild Catlin’s, and the gorgeous coastline of the Marlborough Sounds.
Andy Wood
Course Manager, Kauri Cliffs
When did you start with the company: December 1997
Notable previous employment: The London Golf, Kent, England.
The London Golf Club is a 36 hole Jack Nicklaus designed private members club.
I was originally employed as the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent responsible for the grow- in of both the new golf courses. I was promoted to Golf Course Superintendent in charge of all 36 holes before I left the London Golf Club to take up the position of Golf Course Superintendent in charge of overseeing the construction and grow-in of Kauri Cliffs.
During my tenure at the London Golf Club I prepared the course for a televised Skins Tournament between Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Tony Jacklin. I also prepared the course for a televised European Tour Event called The London Masters.
Prior to working at the London Golf Club I was a greenkeeper at the Arnold Palmer designed Sanctuary Cove Resort in Queensland, Australia
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
I enjoy sharing my vast experience of the property and talking about the early years and the philosophy set out by the golf course architect David Harman and the Robertson family.
Guests really enjoy the fact that I have been here from the very start of both projects at Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers. We have taken the properties from working sheep and beef farms to the finished product you see now. Both properties are highly regarded world class hotels and golfing facilities.
What is your favourite travel experience? And why?
My wife and I both love Africa. We found the people really friendly and happy. With the majority of the African countries being incredibly poor, the people had such an amazing appreciation for the simple things in life like family and friends and the things that really mattered.
Robyn Younger
Central Reservations Manager
When did you start with the company:
September 2013
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
Creating bespoke itineraries with unique experiences throughout New Zealand. I love arranging incredible experiences for our guests and showcasing the very best that New Zealand has to offer.
What is your favourite travel experience? And why?
Experiencing new cultures and exciting activities are always the moments that leave me with the most enduring memories.
Julian William
Executive Housekeeper
When did you start with the company: February 2018
Notable previous employment: I worked for The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa in 2017, and sailed onboard luxury cruise liners Silver Seas for four years. Before that I was working in the Maldives on a on a private island for three years.
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why? The early morning CanAm tour, it is a mesmerizing experience
What is your favourite travel experience? And why? I have been to both the Arctic and Antarctic. It's a once in a lifetime experience, and feels like you are on a different planet.
Glenn Brabin
Maintenance Manager
When did you start with the company: December 2020
Notable previous employment: I was Biodiversity Manager for Central Districts Pest Control where I managed several high profile projects such as the contorta pine eradication from Makahu Spur. The project involved the removal of approximately 180,000 wilding pines from the area.
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? I take pride in, and enjoy sharing local knowledge with our guests.
What is your favourite golf experience? And why? My favourite travel experience was living in a village in Vanuatu. I ended up sponsoring two families there, which I continue to this day.
James Honore
Head Chef
When did you start with the company:
10/2007
Notable previous employment:
Opening team Cape Kidnappers/Sous KC
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
My Cuisine, our garden produce, our Hawkes Bay products
What is your favourite travel experience? And why?
Visiting the markets in Changmai, the noise & smells. It was my first experience in a truly foreign country
Brad Sim
Golf Course Superintendent
When did you start with the company:
December 2012
Notable previous employment:
Kauri Cliffs, The Els Club – Dubai, The Australian Golf Club, Sydney.
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
Our jaw dropping landscapes and the views from the cliffs. Not to mention the pristine golf course to play while soaking it in!
What is your favourite travel experience?
Camping near a beach or exploring Thailand on a scooter.
Raymond Geffre
Director of Golf
When did you start with the company: November 2012
Notable previous employment:
While working at Cape Kidnappers in the southern hemisphere summer, I would return home to the USA in the winter months. While in the USA I worked at Point Judith Country Club, and later on at Stowe Mountain Club.
In 2015 – 2018 I worked for Ralph Lauren Golf & Tennis, before deciding to move back to New Zealand year round.
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
I most enjoy sharing my passion for the Hawke's Bay region with guests. Whether it is discussing where to eat on a given night, or which vineyards to seek out to taste wine. I’m also an avid trout fisherman, and enjoy speaking with other guests that have travelled to New Zealand to get out in the rivers to seek out a trophy fish.
What is your favourite golf experience? And why?
My favourite golf experience would of course be Cape Kidnappers! However, I enjoy travelling around rural New Zealand and playing honesty box courses. Mahia Golf Club is my favourite so far!
John Lewis
Guest Relations Manager
When did you start with the company:
I started with Robertson Lodges in 2003 when there was only Kauri Cliffs and we were still building the suites 17-22.
Notable previous employment:
Prior to Kauri Cliffs I was in Sydney, working at the Saville Group Hotels. These were the first apartment style hotels in Australia. Before this, I was at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington DC. And before this again, I was at university in USA where I was a music major.
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
I enjoy showing guests this magnificent lodge and property that Josie and Julian have created and also making each guest feel like they are a VIP coming into the Robertson's home from the moment they arrive. For myself, it is wonderful when a guest is departing and they have made a booking to return the same dates the following year and requesting the same suite that they have just stayed in.
A bonus of having a degree in music is that I can play the grand piano in the evenings, and on those odd occasions when we have had notable singers and musicians staying, we have given short concerts for our other guests.
What is your favourite travel experience?
My favourite travel experience is going to Wimbledon each year followed by either the Verona Opera Festival or the Salzburg Festival.
Matt Winstanley
Guest Relations Manager
When did you start with the company: December 2017
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why? I enjoy taking guests out for a tour of the property and sharing with them our own slice of heaven. It is a great opportunity to get to know our guests and connect with them.
What is your favourite travel experience? And why? My favourite travel experience was when I visited the Bay of Islands. I went on a boat trip and saw dolphins up close, which was an amazing experience.
Mia Wilson
Head Housekeeper
When did you start the company?
June 2012
What were you doing before you joined Kauri Cliffs?
For seven years I worked delivering a life skills program in schools called Kiwi Can.
What do you most enjoy sharing with guest? And why?
The location, the people, the native surrounds and wildlife. Just the peacefulness that is available for our guests to enjoy.
What is your favorite travel experience? And why?
Going to Cape Kidnappers. What an amazing place, and just so different from Kauri Cliffs. It was the view, the staff, the rooms, the location, and the wildlife.
Michael Venner
Guest Relations Manager
When did you start with the company:
August 2012
Notable previous employment:
Waitangi National Trust
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
We find laughter together in the simplest moments. I love sharing the unique stories and histories of New Zealand.
What is your favourite travel experience? And why?
France, Toulouse, New Years Eve 2000. Completely submerged in southern French culture for two weeks with a crew of mischief friends. Food, wine, skiing, laughter, adventure. Different world. Best fun I’ve had on Holiday.
Mel Adams
Maintenance Manager
When did you start with the company?
September 2020
What were you doing before you joined Kauri Cliffs?
I was Managing Director of a building company, and prior to that a manager with Juken Nisso
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests?
I enjoy sharing local knowledge with guests who are visiting the region. I am very proud of the Far North, and like to share local experiences that make it special.
What is your favourite travel experience?
Visiting New Zealand's South Island. It was the awesome scenery, great roads, and lots of holiday activities I loved the most.
Todd Candy
Farm Manager
When did you start with the company:
September 2019
Notable previous employment:
I spent two years at Waipoa Training Farm before moving down to the Wairarapa where I spent 9 years at Turanganui Romney in South Wairarapa, one of the largest Romney studs in New Zealand.
What do you most enjoy sharing with guests? And why?
I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion that I have for the agriculture industry to guests that may not get the opportunity to see what New Zealand agriculture has to offer.
What is your favourite travel experience?
Being able to explore the New Zealand country side and seeing what it has to offer, from the beaches in the North to the stunning scenery of the South Island mountains.
