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!
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.
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
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.
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.