Hapuku Lodge is happy to introduce you to Emile Van der Linde its new General Manager:

Originally from South Africa, Emile first stayed at Hapuku Lodge as a guest some 12 years ago. He decided that this is the place he really wanted to work for. At checkout he asked for the managers details, and after harassing him for a few months and going back to have dinner with him, 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. He has always liked the natural feel of the property, inside and out. The buildings and grounds compliment the surrounding area. 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, with down to earth service and a casual atmosphere. This all comes down to a great team.

Emile loves the coastline around Kaikoura. It is beautiful, alive and rugged with great fishing/diving and surfing.

Emile has been interviewed by Ian Swain from Swain Destinations if you would like to see: