Building excellence from the inside out

We’re committed to building, developing, and supporting an incredible team — because great experiences start with great people.

This commitment reflects the everyday work of our team. It honours the care, energy, and authenticity that go into everything we do, every single day.

It’s also about the culture we’ve built together – one grounded in manaakitanga, sustainability, and a shared commitment to excellence.

And, of course, it’s about you – our locals, suppliers, and wider community – who continue to inspire us to do better and be better.

Pictured is Anna Cronin, Experience Manager | Tim Stephenson, Head Chef | Melissa Saddler-Futter, Operations Manager.

MeeT the Team Behind the Swan

At The White Swan Hotel & Bar, it’s not just the food, drinks, and atmosphere that make this place special — it’s the people.

The ones behind the scenes, on the floor, in the office, and everywhere in between. The people who keep everything turning, make you feel welcome, and help ensure every visit is a great one.

So, we thought it was about time you met them.

Each week, we’ll be introducing a member of the White Swan team — sharing a little about who they are, what they do, and what makes them such an important part of our Swan family.

Tracey – Our Office Champion

Tracey is one of the key reasons the White Swan runs as smoothly as it does.

If things are organised, doors are open on time, and everything is ticking along behind the scenes, chances are Tracey’s already been there — coffee in hand — making it happen. Known for her positivity, her sense of humour, and her unwavering reliability, Tracey is truly the heartbeat of our office.

She can’t start her day without her coffee machine, her work buddies, the winter heater, and of course her beloved pink coffee cup from a very special work friend. Her go-to Swan order? A long tall glass of soda with pink grapefruit and a twist of lemon — refreshing and classic, just like her approach to work.

Tracey’s proudest work moment is one she holds close: she’s never been late to open The White Swan Hotel. That’s dedication at its finest. When she’s not keeping things running smoothly, she’s learning about AI and “the talking robots” — proof that even our most experienced champions are always curious and growing.

Ask Tracey what makes a great day at work and the answer is simple: lots of laughs and happy customers. And if she weren’t doing what she does now? She’d be creating art.

We’re incredibly lucky to have Tracey as part of the White Swan team, and we can’t wait for you to meet more of the people who make this place what it is.

Check back next week as we introduce another face behind the Swan

Tim – Our Executive Chef

Behind every great dish at The White Swan is Tim — our Executive Chef, flavour creator, and calm-in-the-chaos leader of the kitchen.

Armed with a sharp knife, a great playlist, and what might be considered excessive amounts of caffeine, Tim keeps the kitchen moving with precision and passion. His walk-up song? Playing God by Polyphia — fast, technical, and seriously impressive… much like his cooking.

While Tim loves complex flavours and creative plates, his ultimate comfort food says it all: a simple, messy, burger, packed with flavour and made to be enjoyed. Because great food doesn’t need to be complicated — it just needs to be done right.

For Tim, his proudest moments aren’t trophies or titles — they’re the reactions. The smiles, the “that was amazing,” and the joy from guests when something he and his team create truly hits the mark.

A great day in the kitchen? Positive vibes, a smooth service, and a team firing on all cylinders. And while many dream of what they’d do next, Tim’s been in the game so long he couldn’t imagine doing anything else — this is it.

Stay tuned as we continue introducing the people behind the Swan.

Misty — Our Head Housekeeper

If you’ve ever stepped into a room at The White Swan and thought wow, this feels amazing, chances are Misty and her team have been there first.

A great day at work for Misty means the hotel and accommodation are clean, fresh, and sparkling — ready for our fabulous guests. Just as important to her is making sure her team feels happy, supported, and valued every single day.

Misty’s proudest work moments come from learning the hotel’s computer systems and confidently leading her team — something she takes real pride in. She’s currently expanding her skills even further, learning how to open the hotel in the mornings, check guests out, and prepare our Swan breakfasts.

She brings professionalism and an outstanding work ethic to her role, and it shows in the way our home — The White Swan — looks and feels. As we like to say, every room has had a little Misty Dust sprinkled on it, creating those magical moments our guests remember.

With a soundtrack pulled straight from our Swan Summer Playlist, plus a love for Zach Bryan’s country vibes, Misty brings positivity and care into every part of her day. Her go-to drink? A Rosebud cocktail, or keeping it simple with vodka, soda water, and fresh lime.

Melissa —Our Operations Manager

Melissa brings warmth, good humour, and a genuine heart for people into everything she does. Fuelled by decaf coffee and a positive attitude, Melissa thrives on creating smooth systems, supporting her teammates, and helping the day run seamlessly.

A great day at work for her is one filled with lots of smiles and the chance to work alongside an amazing team — ideally with Best Day of My Life by American Authors playing in the background as her unofficial theme song.

One of Melissa’s proudest moments at work has been supporting one of our fabulous team members to sign up for a culinary apprenticeship, a reflection of how much she values growth and opportunity for others.

Being new to the team means she’s constantly learning, and she embraces that journey with enthusiasm. Outside of work, Melissa would happily swap her desk for The White Swan classic crispy prawn dumplings and a road trip around New Zealand with her bestie, rating quaint little towns along the way — much like our Greytown Village, all while embodying her emoji bio: ✨😆💕!

Rumi — Our Head Chef

Rumi is the creative force behind our kitchen as Head Chef, and we feel genuinely privileged to have him on our team. Clever, creative, and deeply knowledgeable in his craft, Rumi brings both skill and heart to everything he does. Fuelled by Red Bull, music, and the occasional hot chocolate, he thrives in the rhythm of a fast-paced kitchen, with Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd as a fitting personal theme song that reflects his grounded, honest approach to food.

A great day at work for Rumi is busy to the max — prep in full swing, high energy in the kitchen, and a team firing on all cylinders. One of his proudest moments is creating a special, where his creativity truly shines. Always evolving, Rumi is currently focused on developing his leadership skills, sharing his wealth of knowledge with the team and leading with loyalty and passion. Outside the kitchen, you’ll find him enjoying spicy margaritas and garlic prawns, — though in another life, he may well have taken a very different path as a banking credit officer.

Anna - Experience Manager

We love Anna for so many reasons — she’s always on the ball, brings a smiling face to every shift, and has an incredible eye for detail. She somehow balances her role between the office and the floor effortlessly, always ready to jump in wherever the day (or the moment) needs her most.

Anna can’t get through a shift without a pen, her team, and snacks close by. Her walk-up song is Unstoppable by Sia — fitting, really. When it comes to orders, she’s all about a classic margarita and a chicken burger (because you can’t go wrong).

Her proudest moment was stepping into the Experience Manager role, after only 18 months in the country. Yes, she’s an Aussie! She had only been in the country for two weeks when she popped in for lunch and walked out with a job.

Right now, Anna’s focused on learning how to keep raising standards while still supporting and developing her team in a fast-paced hospitality environment. For her, a great day at work means happy guests, a calm and confident team, smooth service, and finishing the day knowing everything was done properly — plus meeting plenty of new faces along the way.

If she weren’t in this role, she’d still be 100% hospitality-based in an active role. A full time office job? Definitely not. Lucky us!