Tony Wilson grew up in Wellington before the Wilson family moved to the San Francisco Bay so Tony, his two sisters and brother, could attend graduate school at University of California at Berkeley. Tony received his law degree from Boalt Law School at Berkeley and practiced law for a few years. While practicing law he and his older brother, Michael, were engaged in designing and renovating Bay Area property. In 1982, the three brothers and sister Sara, formed Wilson Associates to design, build and operate small, high quality real estate properties.

Tony has also a passion for food. This passion has led him to work with his sister, Sara, in the creation of various food interests. Though varied in style, each of these little businesses focus on creating tasty food using fresh, wholesome, seasonal ingredients.

Originally from South Africa, Emile first stayed at Hapuku Lodge as a guest some 13 years ago. During his stay he decided that this is the place he wanted to further his career. At checkout he asked for the managers details, and after multiple emails and phone calls, he was invited to become part of the Hapuku Lodge team. Whilst life took him in a different direction, he was never able to let his connection to the Lodge and Kaikoura go. He returned to be part of the Hapuku team again in 2018. Emile has always liked the natural feel of the property, inside and out. The buildings and grounds compliment the surrounding landscape. From a work perspective, what he is pleased about is that at the Lodge we do things for the right reasons – guests come first. He feels at the Lodge there is the perfect blend of world class cuisine and comfortable accommodations, and down to earth service with a casual atmosphere. This all comes down to a great team that he is thrilled to be apart off.
In his free time Emile loves the coastline around Kaikoura, “It is beautiful, alive and rugged with great fishing/diving and surfing”.

Originally from England, Anna first came to work for us for the winter of 2015. Captivated by the serene, beauty, relaxed and friendly atmosphere, she decided this was the place for her and returned to us in 2017. Anna enjoys the homely atmosphere and sharing it with guests. Outside of work, Anna likes to go for beach walks and watch the dolphins and surfers.

Born in the region of Santa Catarina - Brazil, Fernando grew up enjoying surfing and practising the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Fernando began his professional culinary career in 2005, where he worked under Alastair Dunlop at 'The Kestrel at the Landing' in Tauranga. He then, in 2008, began working at 'The Lodge at the Inlet' in Pauatahanui Wellington, where his culinary repertoire further flourished.
In 2012, Fernando was invited to work at Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses in Kaikoura. During this time Fernando also conducted numerous working holidays to further develop his own creativity, working at places such as Chez Panisse in San Francisco, and conducing classes with Hanuman The Thai Food Master at Three Trees Doi Saket Cooking School in Chang Mai, Thailand.
Fernando takes pride in this position, leading the kitchen team from the front, exceeding guests expectations visiting the Hapuku dining room, as well as coordinating fine dining experiences for helicopter picnics, private chef tables and planning what produce is needed from the onsite vegetable and herb gardens. He continues to elevate the cuisine offered at Hapuku by having his menus reflect the seasonal produce available, not only from the Lodge’s gardens, but using all ingredients the Kaikoura region has to offer.

Mike has been a host at Hapuku Lodge since late 2009. After studying Professional Restaurant, Wine and Bar Service at Christchurch Polytech, he spent several years gaining valuable industry experience at a mid-Canterbury high country resort. When the opportunity to move to beautiful Kaikoura and become part of a hard working and passionate team of hospitality professionals presented itself, he jumped at the chance.

Mike prides himself on being a people person, and enjoys mixing a cocktail for guests, serving delicious food and making everyone feel at home.

Keilla is originally from Brazil and has been part of the team at Hapuku Lodge since 2013. She graduated from the University of Santa Catarina in Brazil in Naturopathy, where she focussed on holistic medicine and natural therapies. 

Her love for nature brought her to Kaikoura and to Hapuku Lodge. The peacefulness and serenity of the environment, together with its beautiful mountains and coastline made her stay.

When she is not giving treatments in our Kawakawa Studio Spa, she will be looking after you as one of our Lodge Hosts. She is very passionate about food and wine, and loves sharing this passion with our guests. She will be happy to help you with anything you need to make your stay more pleasant.

Jason has for the past 15 years maintained and kept the property in good order and health. Tragically, in the month before we completed revisions to this web site, he suddenly passed away. We want to acknowledge his enormous contribution to the development of the Lodge and have decided to post this small tribute to him to honor all that he has meant to the Lodge and particularly to Tony and the Wilson family. We will miss him enormously. He was an integral part of our small operation and his passing has left a void. He was one of the sweetest persons Tony has ever known. So we will no longer find him caring for the fires, the maintenance of the place and the well being of our guests. Nor will we find him at his favorite surf spot or fishing from the beach, two of his favorite past times. But we will remember him.