Meet the Team

Robyn Francis

Manager
I was born in Christchurch and like many Kiwi's, I'm of mixed descent, including Māori, Polynesian, Indian and European.
I've worked in different locations around NZ, and Queenstown has to be one of the best!
What keeps me here is the people and the amazing landscape. Queenstown is evolving, the future is unknown but there's lots of positive supportive people with inspiring innovative ideas to keep us moving forward.
We have so much going on here and never enough time to do it all!

Bec Conway

Coordinator
Dia dhuit/Kia ora/Hi!
I moved to Queenstown for a ski season in 2013 after spending some time travelling after university and I have never left!
I’m originally from Dublin, Ireland where all my family still live.
When I’m not at Happiness House, I love getting in our very cold lake, biking the trails, long-distance running with my dog Winny and trying new things like rock-climbing and playing Gaelic football.
I love working at Happiness House because I get to meet great people, I feel embedded in our wonderful community and every day is different here.

Karen Kyriakoudis

Counsellor
Kia Ora Tahuna/Queenstown!
I’m a born and bred South Island West Coaster with strong Scottish heritage with Irish, English and perhaps French, thrown into the mix.
I’ve lived with my family in Queenstown since 2016 and I never get bored of looking at the mountains, particularly while nursing a cup of tea. I do miss enjoying the view of the sparkling Tasman sea though!
I started my time in Queenstown volunteering for Happiness House (mainly frisbee golfing!!) and now I get to put my counselling background to the fore by providing counselling services. I hope you enjoy your Happiness House experiences as much as I have and do!
Ngā mihi nui, Karen

Chiharu Kasahara

Senior Staff Member
I am from Japan and have been in Queenstown since 2016.
Happiness Houses is such a lovely place to meet people and share your stories. Also you can just pop in without any reason or for a cup of tea/coffee. That’s how I was often here with my daughter and now I'm working part-time here.
When I am not working, I love my family time with my husband and 2 year old daughter Kaya.
We are so grateful we can raise our daughter in a great community like Queenstown.

Caroline White

Staff Member
Originally from the North-East of England, and growing up in Scotland, I arrived in New Zealand in January 2006 for a 5 month trip (after a year travelling around Australia) and never left!
Having heard great things about Happiness House  I started volunteering here in August 2019, before later becoming a staff member in July 2020.
I really enjoy working at Happiness House because I love meeting the people, who come from all over the world, that make up our local community and I can often be found chatting with them over a cuppa and a cookie in the homely kitchen here.

Corey Sinteur

Casual Staff Member
I came to Queenstown 2012 excited about the prospect of playing in the green outdoors – skiing, snowboarding, hiking, kayaking and golfing are a few of my passions.
I had spent the previous 16 years living in the flat plains of Perth as a university lecturer. I wanted a little more variety with weather and landscape. Queenstown certainly provides plenty of exciting variety.
Being part of the Happiness House community has made me feel more a part of the wider fabric of Queenstown. I value the diversity of people who drop in to our community house. It is wonderful to have a place where people from all walks of life are accepted and appreciated.

Elina Lim

Casual Staff Member
I am a qualified Holistic and Mindfulness Coach who is passionate about helping people become aware of the importance of mental health, how to be kind to themselves and feel comfortable in their own skin.
I trained and learnt extensively about the mindfulness practice which has benefited my own life tremendously.
I now dedicate my time to study holistic practices to empower others to find calm, be comfortable in their own body and to thrive in life.
 I have been teaching yoga, mindfulness & meditation in Queenstown, New Zealand since 2018.
In my free time you can find me biking or walking the many beautiful trails here and I count my blessing to live amongst such a wonderful and supportive community.

Paula Jones

Casual Staff Member
I moved to Queenstown in 2016 after my ‘2 year OE to London’ turned into 20 years away from NZ. I’m originally from Invercargill, and spent most of my childhood summer holidays in Queenstown.
I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends, travelling, reading, and going to the gym.
I enjoy volunteering as you get to meet interesting people, and feel a part of the community.