Your Hosts

Phil, Lily & Grace

Phil and Lily met at high school and married in 1982 in Whitianga. Phil became a butcher and went on to purchase his fathers butchers shop which they ran for four years before in 1986 they decided to purchase the Waingaro Hot Springs Hotel. With four young children they enjoyed running this lovely, busy country hotel with two bars, a bistro and accommodation, all with a great family atmosphere. 

In 1990 they decided to give dairy farming a try. Lily comes from a farming background and felt it would be the perfect place to raise the children. Over several years, four moves and two more children, Phil and Lily finally settled in South Waikato for 20 years on a 300 hectare dairy farm. In addition to the six children, Phil & Lily are now also proud grandparents to 13 grandchildren - in total a very close family who have all been very successful in achieving their goals through life.

Grace their 5th child is 24 years old and is going to be part of this exciting new Waipoua Lodge venture. She studied at George Seymour in 2014 and then spent 6 months on an internship in Florida working at Disneyworld. She returned and has continued in the hospitality industry gaining valuable skills over the past 4 years working at the Millennium in Taupo and more recently at the Holiday Inn in Rotorua as an events/conference co-ordinator.

Both Phil and Lily enjoyed the hospitality industry and always considered running another business where the focus would be dealing with people in a more relaxed, peaceful and private environment, away from the hustle/bustle of life, providing guests with a great place to relax, unwind, enjoy and be spoiled. 

Easy going, happy, friendly people, they all enjoy lots of hobbies including music, reading, art, fishing, gardening & walking and in particular sports with Phil having been a rugby referee up to international level for 15 years.