Alexander Siebentritt

  • Board Nominees, National Committee
  • Committee Member
  • alexanders at rutherfordhotel dot co dot nz

Born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Alexander Siebentritt discovered his passion for hospitality early, inspired by family travels and the unique energy of hotels and restaurants. After working in Frankfurt’s restaurant scene, he moved to Austria to study Hospitality Management, guided by a service mantra that still resonates: “The answer is always yes—what was the question again?”

Since completing his diploma in 2006, Alexander has built a global hospitality career across Germany, Austria, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. His experience spans between luxury lodges, boutique resorts, and large-scale hotels—including a formative traineeship in New York and leadership roles across Australia and New Zealand.

He returned to Nelson’s Rutherford Hotel in late 2015 and has serves as its General Manager since early 2018. Leading a 113-room full-service property with multiple dining venues and conference capacity for 700+ guests, Alexander is known for operational excellence, inclusive leadership, and fostering strong, sustainable teams. He successfully navigated the hotel through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A strong advocate for industry collaboration, Alexander currently also serves as President of the HNZ Nelson Branch and as Top of the South Island Chair of TIA/HCA. He is also Treasurer of the Triumph Riders Motorcycle Club Nelson Chapter.

Alexander believes deeply in the power of hospitality to create lasting, human experiences—and prefers the word "guest" over "customer," which he feels lacks the warmth and respect at the heart of true service delivery.

Outside of work, he enjoys motorcycling, golf, and exploring New Zealand’s wine and culinary scene.