Norman Wood

Norman who owns Hulmes Court and is your host is a true born and bred Kiwi from a family of settlers who arrived in the 1800s. He was educated in NZ and London, studying geography, history, philosophy and economics and he's stood for parliament twice. He is still young (or that's what he thinks) at 41.

He started his own advertising business 19 years ago in Dunedin and Queenstown, and also owns a large plastic factory which makes all kinds of things including toys!! Visit the factory at www.epiplastics.co.nz. And! he has just started an online shop called thefactoryshop.co.nz

Norman has travelled widely and loves meeting and entertaining people from around New Zealand and the world.  I also have a new personal homepage.

To the right is a small video where Norman says hello and starts a tour around Hulmes Court.  To see other videos click on Bedrooms where there are videos of the rooms or the Solstice & Jimmy Cat videos.

Chelsea Blair 

 

Chelsea has just graduated from University of Otago studying for a BSc in physiology.  She grew up just north of Auckland.  She is a very motivated and efficient staff member who has plenty of customer service experience, she loves communicating with people and she is excited to be part of the Hulmes Court team.  She loves netball and has played it for 12 years.

 

Rachel Carson

Born in Wellington, Rachel moved to Ashburton when she was 7. She's travelled throughout New Zealand, including living in the West Coast for 6 months. Just recently she went on a long trip to France.  She is learning to speak French now.  In the photo on the right you see Rachel with Solstice Jnr when he was a Kitten, he is much much bigger now.

Danielle Servant

Danielle has been with us for a year. She is studying Tourism, French and German at The University of Otago. Danielle is half Kiwi half French, visiting France three times.

She says, “the best thing about working at Hulmes Court is learning from our guests all about their home country.”

She grew up in Oamaru, which is a small city about 90 minutes drive north of Dunedin. Oamaru is famous for its Victorian Festival and its Little Blue Penguins.

Her favorite foods are pastries and chocolates. She loves travel, summer, Europe and her friends and family.

If you stay over summer you will probably meet Danielle as she will be coming on full time during the university summer holidays.

Alice Johnstone

Alice joined the team at Hulmes Court in November 2008.  This year she was a student across the road at Otago Girls High School, one of the oldest schools of its type in the world (see Wikipedia), next year she is studying Occupational Therapy at the local polytechnic.

Alice grew up and has lived her whole life in Dunedin.  Interestingly, Alice's parents are moving to Australia (like many Kiwis) but Alice has decided to stay behind.

 

Libby Tyree

Libby grew up in Invercargill which is a city at the bottom of the South Island not far from Dunedin.  She is studying at the University of Otago.  She loves swimming and is a World Champion Underwater Hockey Champion!!!  We only employ the best in the world at Hulmes Court.

Deborah Murphy

Deborah is from Dunedin, so she knows lots of cool things to do.  She was a friend of Ann (see above) and Craig's before she started working at Hulmes Court.  Craig worked with her husband.  Recently she worked for the Accident Compensation Commission before deciding on a career change.  So she has gone back to Polytechnic and is studying veterinary nursing, and working for us too.  Jimmy and Solstice look out!

 

Kayla Matheson

Kayla grew up in Cambridge and Taupo, which are small towns just south of Hamilton in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand.  She is studying a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing.  Between High School and University she worked in the United Kingdom and travelled around Europe.  In the past Kayla enjoyed playing Rugby.  Kayla will be spending the summer in Queensland Australia, we hope to see her back early next year when the university is back in session.

Phil Soper

Phil is Hulmes Court's night manager.  So if you get up early you are likely to meet Phil.  Phil is from Invercargill which is the southern most City in New Zealand.  He spent many years in the Navy and travelled all around the world on our ships.  Interestingly, Phil loves animals and is the local chief executive of the SPCA - the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  So when Phil isn't at Hulmes Court he is out keeping little critters happy.

Ann Swolfs

Ann was born in Belgium but is now a Kiwi.  She can talk to you all about immigrating to NZ and why she decided this was the best place in the world to live.

She has a management degree from Otago University, and now works for Norman as his full time personal assistant/manager. She has travelled lots and worked in all kinds of interesting places.  The photo below is with her Scottish husband Craig.  Dunedin was founded by Scottish settlers.

Click here to have a look at Ann's house.

Kay-Anne van Zyl

Kay-Anne was born in South Africa, but moved with her family to New Zealand going to High School in Masterton.  Kay-Anne is very intelligent, being accepted into Medical School but deciding instead on European Studies including French and a Law degree.

Her interests have included rifle shooting.

 

Solstice

Solstice is our resident cat. He thinks he is the boss and that we are there to feed him and give him lots of attention. He loves guests and is very very friendly. Solstice is named after the day he turned up all wet and cold looking for a home - the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year).

He certainly made himself at home at Hulmes Court - so should you!  Click here to visit his homepage.  Or!!!!! become my friend on facebook:

Jimmy

Jimmy was a stray cat too.  He is a very pushy cat, once he decided that Hulmes Court was his home that was that - no matter what Solstice thought!!.  Jimmy is very friendly and always on the go, he doesn't have a very long attention span, and we don't think he is as smart as Solstice.  Solstice is still the boss, but is more interested in sleeping and eating so doesn't push Jimmy around too much.  They aren't the best of friends, but you'll often find them together - they like to know where each other is all the time.