Meet the team
Working at The Hermitage offers an enviable life/ work balance.
The isolation and fresh air attracts adventurers while the village
lifestyle offers a real sense of community.
At the first Hermitage, all staff were accommodated in the
hotel. When the second Hermitage was built more accommodation was
made available and staff lived nearby. Later a series of small
staff rooms were provided with shared facilities. Now, the village
is much larger and offers a variety of housing options.
In 2009, The Hermitage Hotel
celebrated its 125th Birthday. Take a look at the The Hermitage
story, then and now, as told by New Zealand's current affair
program, Campbell Live.
MEET OUR LEADERS
Hermitage Hotel General Manager -Andrew Cleverley
After completing a Bachelor of Tourism Management from Lincoln
University, Andrew gained a Corporate Traineeship with Rydges
Hotels & Resorts and then moved through the ranks very quickly
to become the youngest GM in the company at that time (just 27). He
worked in Christchurch, Queenstown, Lake Tekapo, Sydney and Cairns.
Mid 2009 Andrew was offered the position as GM at The Hermitage
where he boasts that he loves every minute of living in this
amazing environment. Andrew looks forward to sharing it with
you.
General Manager of Tourism -
Denis Callesen
Denis has 40 years experience in the Tourism Industry and has
been at Mount Cook on and off since 1975. His main role today is
management of The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre & the
various Activities operated by The Hermitage. Described as a
'Commercial Conservationist', he also plays an active role in
developing new projects & liaison with The Department of
Conservation. A long serving JP & well known as a Marriage
Celebrant, Denis's interests include hunting, trout fishing and
nice NZ wine.
Front Office Manager - Masa Onuma
Masa's first job was within fishing tackle sales in Japan. As
Japanese fishing tackles were very popular overseas he found
himself travelling overseas 1/3 of time. While Masa was travelling
he stayedin hotels all over the world and began to consider a
career in the hotel industry. 10 years ago Masa came to NZ and
started work at The Hermitage. He believes all NZ hotels have a
very friendly attitude and The Hermitage is no exception.
Food & Beverage Manager - Matthew Leonard
Matt's career began at the Parkroyal/Intercontinental
Wellington where he worked his way up to Assistant Conference and
Banqueting Manager. He then worked for Rydges Rotorua and Rydges
Christchurch as Conference & Banqueting Operations Manager.
During his O.E he worked for a small Luxury Hotel in SW London and
then took up a position as the GM at the Orangery at Kensington
Palace. Upon his return to N.Z Matt worked at the Temperance, N.Z's
largest bar complex for a short period before moving to Mount
Cook.
HR Manager - Leonie Rasmussen
Leonie completed a Bachelor of Education and then worked as an
F&B Attendant at The Hermitage. She had intended to travel
before settling down to teach but loved the hotel so much she
stayed for 2.5years. She eventually left to spend 4 years overseas
before rejoining the team in 2008. Leonie is passionate about the
many great opportunities available to our staff living in Aoraki
Mount Cook Village.
Sales & Marketing Manager
- Cher Knights
Cher moved to NZ with her family in 2008 following 11 years in
management, operations and sales and marketing roles in the North
Queensland tourism industry. Although she had travelled the South
Island extensively she had never been to Mount Cook and took the
position with The Hermitage without knowing what it actually was.
After her first visit she was hooked and although based in our
Queenstown office, Cher considers Mount Cook and The Hermitage her
favorite place in the world.
Chief Engineer - Suz Kirkwood
Suz is an electrician by trade and served her apprenticeship in
the NZ Army in Trenthem and Waiouru as well as a posting to
Burnham. Six years ago she was working in Christchurch when
she saw an ad for a 'sparky' at the Hermitage and although she had
never been to Mt Cook before she thought it looked interesting. Suz
is also member of the Mount Cook Fire Brigade and says that Mt Cook
is a great place to live and work. 'You never know what will happen
each day and you get to meet people from all over the world'.