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One of New Zealand’s premier eco lodges has farewelled an industry stalwart who has steered the business through a time of successful growth and development.
The Headwaters Eco Lodge general Manager John Dick left late last year, transitioning into retirement after an illustrious career in the hotel industry to spend more time with family in Auckland.
In his 14-month tenure at the Glenorchy-based lodge he oversaw endeavours including chalet improvements, a new lodge website, the launch of The Dining Room with executive chef Pete Gawron and team, built relationships with tourism wholesalers, carried out pricing reviews and established community events.
“The lodge has certainly benefited from his professional knowledge and leadership in the accommodation business and we thank him for all his hard work,” says lodge co-founder Debbi Brainerd.
Highly experienced tourism sales professional Paula Buchanan recently joined the lodge as business development manager in the corporate events and functions sector, sales and events manager Kath Cahill continues to spread the good word about the lodge in the tourism sector and CFO Kylie Broxton is acting general manager.
“We are still looking for the perfect person to come and join us in the GM role but in the meantime we have a very stable and forward looking team taking the lodge into 2024,” says Kylie.
Known to many in the industry as JD, John Dick said it had been “a privilege” to work at the lodge.
“Very rarely do you get to work with an iconic property that’s leading the way in sustainability, and I applaud their vision,” he says.
“I’ll continue to be a passionate ambassador for the lodge and I’m delighted to be leaving it in great hands and in good heart with a superb team in place.”
Accommodation at The Headwaters’ award-winning eco lodge features elegantly appointed premium eco chalets, and the main lodge building which is home to meeting rooms featuring state-of-the-art technology, a beautiful lounge and The Headwaters Dining Room, an exceptional garden-to-table food cuisine destination paying homage to locally-grown seasonal produce that’s artfully matched with stunning Central Otago wines.
Founded by American philanthropists Debbi and Paul Brainerd, The Headwaters Eco Lodge established a locally administered charitable trust which returns profits to the wider Glenorchy community.
