Michael Khuwattansenee

Auckland Ethnic Advisory Group
Auckland Ethnic Advisory Member

Michael Khuwattenasenee is the brains behind Khu Khu. He opened his first venture in the hospitality industry, The Taste, over in Devonport back in 2013. It proved incredibly popular with the locals, and in 2019 he decided to branch out with a fresh venture, Khu Khu!

He was inspired to make it a vegan restaurant after completing a 30-day vegan challenge. While doing the challenge, he struggled to find any decent vegan places to go out to eat with
friends. Thus, Khu Khu, a fully vegan Thai Eatery, was born.

Michael has a Master’s of Technological Futures and Entrepreneurial studies. He’s a purpose-driven entrepreneur at heart, with a variety of different business ventures on the go, including BioFab, one of the 2019 C-Prize Finalists. BioFab aims to rid the world of polystyrene by replacing it with eco-friendly fungi-based materials.

Tim Read
- Auckland
- tim dot read at hospitality dot org dot nz
Tim began his career as a physiotherapist before winning MasterChef New Zealand in 2015, a milestone that sparked his transition into the hospitality...
Brendan Fleming
- Upper North Island
- brendan at hospitality dot org dot nz
My working career spans over 3 decades and perhaps with a little GST in various positions and facets of the tourism and hotel industry. The last 7...
Luke van Veen
- Central North Island
- luke at hospitality dot org dot nz
I began in the Hospitality industry back around 2011 when I was studying a BMS at Waikato university, from there I quickly learned that the industry...
Shane Phillips
- Lower North Island
- shane at hospitality dot org dot nz
Shane started his career in 2000, completing his London City and Guilds in cookery at Whitireia Polytech. He spent the next 20 years working...
Zinnia Foster
- Upper South Island / Wellington CBD
- zinnia at hospitality dot org dot nz
As a born and bred Top of the South Islander, I built my professional career over eight years managing award-winning restaurants in Nelson Tasman....
Nikki Rogers
- Central South Island
- nikki at hospitality dot org dot nz
Nikki joined the Hospitality New Zealand team in May 2021 after more than 12 years working in the Service Industry Training Organisations, ATTTO and...
Brendan Elliott
- Lower South Island
- brendan dot elliott at hospitality dot org dot nz
Brendan joins us at Hospitality New Zealand. With 18 years of industry experience and having managed Hospitality venues in Dunedin and Queenstown...
Juliet Morrison
- Northland
I am the owner and managing director of the Judge House of Ale in Whangarei, Northland. I have been involved in the hospitality industry for over 13...
Jamie Freeman
- Auckland
President of Hospitality NZ Auckland branch since 2021, and part of the executive committee for the past 6 years, Jamie Freeman comes from not only a...
Brent Prisk
- Thames
Chris Rollitt
- Waikato
Jayesh Bala
- Taranaki
Born and raised in Rotorua with 25 years hospitality experience across New Zealand and Australia. A strong desire to return home and the opportunity...
Reg Hennessy
- Bay of Plenty
Reg has developed, owned and operated many bars in Rotorua over the last 30 years. He first started in the industry in Port Melbourne, Victoria!...
Colleen Maxwell
- Manawatu - Whanganui
Collen has been managing the Masonic Hotel in Palmerston North for the past 17 years and has been Branch President for approximately 13 years. She...
Aaron Mills
- East Coast - Hawkes Bay
Having spent over 28 years in the hospitality industry, I find it fair to say that it is an area I love. I have worked in numerous countries,...
Manjit Singh
- Wellington
Stacey Goodwin
- Marlborough
I have been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years now, from working in bars and café’s during my college & university days to know running...
Alexander Siebentritt
- Nelson-Tasman
Born in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) I soon found my passion for people and hospitality. Having been fortunate enough to travel a lot as a child,...
Colin Cutler
- Westland
Colin started in the hospitality industry at the age of 14 helping in a local kitchen in a small town in the UK and later trained as a chef. He moved...
Jeremy Stevens
- Canterbury
Originally from the United Kingdom Jeremy migrated to Queenstown in 2009 and quickly fell in love with the local Hospitality Scene. Over his 4 years...
Lachlan Broadfoot
- South Canterbury
Mark Scully
- Otago
Mark Scully opened the first Speights Ale House in August 1999 which is situated next to the Speights Brewery in Dunedin. He previously worked for...
Glen Christiansen
- Central Otago
Cameron Davies
- Southland
Cameron is the executive chef and co-owner of The Fat Duck, Te Anau.Cameron trained to be a chef at Christchurch Polytechnic, in New Zealand but has...
Kristy Phillips
- National Chair
- kristy at edhospo dot co dot nz
Like many of our colleagues Kristy fell into the hospitality industry as a teenager and has loved being a part of it ever since. Postponing...
Troy Clarry
- Vice Chair and Head of Accommodation
- troy at katalymahotels dot com
After spending more than 20 years managing in some of Asia’s most exciting hotels for Hyatt International & Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Japan, Bali,...
Jeremy Smith
- Treasurer
- jeremy dot smith at trinitygroup dot co dot nz
Jeremy is a shareholder and a director of The Trinity Group based in Wellington. The Trinity Group owns hotels, restaurants and bars in the lower...
Alexander Siebentritt
- 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...
Bert Haines
- Committee Member
- bert at future dot co dot nz
I’ve been involved in the hospitality industry here in NZ for over 20 years. Along with my business partner, James Ace, we have built Future...
Genaea Calvert
- GMANZ / Venue Operator Representative
- genaea at calverthospo dot co dot nz
My husband Dean and I bought out his business partner from the Valley Inn Tavern in 2014 and then subsequently bought Protocol Bar in 2017. We then...
Garth Solly
- Committee Member
- Garth dot Solly at thelandingnz dot com
Garth, Accommodation Sector Chair for the Northland region, is a senior executive with experience leading and opening hospitality projects across New...
Jess Marshall
- Committee Member
- Jessica dot Marshall at harmans dot co dot nz
Jessica is an experienced commercial lawyer with a speciality and interest in hospitality matters. She has been practising law since 2008. In 2021...
Richard Tait
- Committee Member
- richard at primeproperty dot co dot nz
With a career spanning over four decades in the hospitality industry, my journey began in 1983 with the Hotel Association Chef Training apprentice...
Nick Keene
- Interim Chief Executive
- ceo at hospitality dot org dot nz
Nick owns Schnappa Rock Restaurant in Tutukaka, Wahi at Oceans and Core Fitness also in Tutukaka. Nick has been in Hospitality and Tourism his whole...
Matt Padernal
- Head of Delivery
- matt at hospitality dot org dot nz
Matt Padernal is a dynamic professional passionate about the tourism and hospitality industry. With a career spanning decades, Matt has established...
Lee Brown
- Head of Operations
- lee at hospitality dot org dot nz
With a career spanning more than 25 years, Lee brings a wealth of experience across multinationals, family-owned enterprises, NFPs, FMCG,...
Sam MacKinnon
- Head of Communications & Advocacy
- sam at hospitality dot org dot nz
Sam joined the Hospitality NZ team in September 2020 as Senior Policy Advisor. Sam has held a number of policy roles within membership organisations,...
Darelle Jenkins
- Head of Membership
- darelle at hospitality dot org dot nz
Originally from England, Darelle moved to New Zealand in 2010 and has worked in the Hospitality and Tourism sector since. Darelle has extensive...
Rab Morton
- Finance Manager
- finance at hospitality dot org dot nz
Rab joined the Hospitality NZ Team in February 2021. He is a chartered accountant whose financial management and accounting career spans over 15...
Tim Blake
- General Counsel
Tim joined Hospitality New Zealand in November 2019. Tim spent 20 years in private practice, before spending the last 6 years working in-house. In...
Shontelle Cotter
- Executive Assistant
- shontelle at hospitality dot org dot nz
Shontelle joined Hospitality New Zealand back in 2013 as an Administration Assistant. From here she has also held the positions of Member Services...
Cat Ritchie
- Partnership Manager
- partnerships at hospitality dot org dot nz
Cat left Scotland 17 years ago on what was meant to be a six-month round-the-world trip—but that short adventure turned into a long-term journey...
Candace Smith
- Skills and Training Manager
- candace at hospitality dot org dot nz
Candace Smith has been with Hospitality New Zealand for four years, playing a crucial role in launching the organisation's skills and training...
Megan Williams
- Sustainability Manager
- megan at hospitality dot org dot nz
Megan has been at the forefront of sustainable tourism for over 20 years. She has developed and led successful sustainability capability building...
Selena Adams
- Communications Manager
- comms at hospitality dot org dot nz
Selena is a passionate, tenacious, and highly motivated communications expert with over a decade’s experience in public relations, corporate...
Mike Kim
- Digital Content Producer
- marketing at hospitality dot org dot nz
Mike is a multi-faceted digital content producer with a passion for filmmaking and photography. His work gravitates towards documenting stories of...
Will Kim
- Kiwi Access Manager
- will at hospitality dot org dot nz
Will is a versatile professional known for his strategic vision and excellence in business operations, product management, client relations, and...
Lexie Vi
- Project & Events Coordinator
- lexie at hospitality dot org dot nz
Lexie joined the team at Hospitality NZ in October 2021. She graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with Mathematics and Chinese Degrees....
Garth Solly
- Northland
Garth, Accommodation Sector Chair for the Northland region, is a senior executive with experience leading and opening hospitality projects across New...
Troy Clarry
- Auckland
After spending more than 20 years managing in some of Asia’s most exciting hotels for Hyatt International & Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Japan, Bali,...
Jacqui Cheal
- Auckland - Deputy
Position Awaiting Appointment
Carol Murphy
- Thames
After a career as a travel agent, in 2012 I purchased a motel lease and found that I loved the industry. Five and a half years later I was ready to...
Cristal Montgomery
- Waikato
I am an experienced accommodation professional with a decade of business experience, having owned and operated high-performing properties in...
Tony Bullot
- Bay of Plenty
Tony and his wife Tina Bullot own and operate 850 Cameron Motel, a 22-unit 4 star plus motel in Tauranga. Purchasing the Motel in late 2015, Tony and...
Jayesh Bala
- Taranaki
Born and raised in Rotorua with 25 years hospitality experience across New Zealand and Australia. Jayesh has strong background in hotel operations,...
Lyn Biel
- Manawatu-Whanganui
Silvia von der Brelie
- Wellington
With a foundation in Germany's vibrant hospitality scene, I began my journey at 16 with an apprenticeship, swiftly advancing to Accor in the rooms...
Marie Dapas
- Marlborough
Max Reelick
- Nelson
Max Reelick has operated Palazzo Motel in Nelson on Rutherford Street for 5 years, along with his wife Robyn.It is a luxurious 5 Star,...
William Simpson
- Westland
Jeff Peters
- Canterbury
Jeff is a Christchurch local who, like many others, yearned for more. Most headed to Europe for their OE but Jeff chose Japan and it was some 20...
Susan McNulty
- South Canterbury
Stewart Manson
- Central Otago
Philip Todd
- Southland
I am a proud opiniated Southlander with my family coming from the coal fields of Southland. I am married with three adult children and for the last...