Meet the Team

Jacqui Spice

Founder/CEO

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Jacqui is the founder and CEO of Touch of Spice. With nurturing the company from the ground up for over 10 years, she has expanded on her already extensive wealth of knowledge and experience in the luxury travel sector. Outside of her passion for Touch of Spice, Jacqui adores the company of family and friends, loves to travel and experience culture, make the most of Queenstowns outdoor activities, and of course drink good wine and indulge in good food.

Kate Walker

General Manager

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Born and raised on a farm in Southland, Kate has always attributed her strong work ethic and love of the outdoors to her upbringing. Always up for a challenge - an ‘ideas girl’, with a reputation for getting things done…and doing them well! Kate joins us with a vast amount of experience in sales, marketing and management, most recently specialising in the New Zealand Travel & Leisure industry. After spending 7 great years living and working in Chelsea, London; traveling the world, Kate and her family have realised that there is no better place to settle than Queenstown! Away from work, it is all about being active with her two son's and husband, so weekends are spent deep in powder up Coronet, water-skiing on the lake, trout fishing or entertaining friends at home.

Lyndal Devery

Villa Manager

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Everyone needs a villa manager and lucky for us we have Lyndal . . . Lyndal is a Southlander and after having spent 25 odd years in Brisbane working in Property Management, a few years ago Lyndal and her husband returned to Queenstown. With a no nonsense attitude she is responsible for managing the managers, the cleaners, looking after owners investments and ensuring guests have the villa experience they expect!

Judi Kean

Travel & Leisure Curator

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Judi has a strong background in tourism and hospitality, including a Tourism and Business Diploma and over 10 years' experience working in customer-focused environments. Judi has the unmatched skills and rich knowledge to create fabulous holidays and experiences for our clients!

Päivi Kurikkala

Travel and Experience Curator

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Päivi is our well-travelled member. Originally from Finland, Päivi has also called Ireland home for seven years, Australia for two and the past seven years, Queenstown has become her most preferred base which she enjoys with her partner and adorable son, Noah. With over 6 years in the 5* hotel background, Touch of Spice and Päivi were a match made in accommodation heaven. On her free days, Päivi enjoys the local hikes which include Moke Lake, Sawpit Gully and Moonlight track - She says to give them a go yourself.

Emily Ravenscroft

Event Curator

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Coming all the way from England, Emily joined us with a strong events background working for high end event companies as well as a first class degree in Event Management. As a keen traveller herself, Emily is able to plan itineraries down to the last detail and loves creating something off the beaten track to make the clients experience unique!

Jill Schurrer

Travel and Leisure Curator

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Jill left Newcastle in the UK to travel the world 11 years ago and has made Queenstown her home for the last 8 years. Travel is Jill’s passion and she has worked in the travel industry for 6 years here in Queenstown. She has a diploma in Aviation, Tourism and Travel and thrives when making dreams a reality. In her spare time she loves hiking with her husband and dog and making the most of Queenstown’s amazing restaurants.

Lydia Mitchell

Events Curator

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Lydia is a born and bred Southlander, spending majority of her holidays growing up on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. With strong local knowledge, unique ideas and a creative eye, Lydia joins our events team with a Bachelor of Fashion & Design gained in Dunedin. London seemed like the next appropriate spot for this fashionista, being a central spot for extensive travel & shopping. After 2 years in London, Lydia realised there was no place like home and Queenstown was easily the best place in the world. In her spare times she enjoys, wining and dining her way through Queenstown’s latest restaurants and hiking the peaks in the surrounding areas.

Nora Zenasni

Marketing Executive

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Nora has worked in the field of advertising and marketing for over eight years. Her experience ranges across all print, digital and above the line channels, as well as facilitating experiences for a diverse range of clients. Originally from London, she has spent the last few years travelling the Southern Hemisphere, experiencing everything this part of the world has to offer – including working as a tour guide in the outback!

Clare Carleton

Marketing Assistant & P.A. to Jacqui Spice

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Having spent childhood holidays in Queenstown, it was the nostalgic reminders that made it an easy decision for Clare to ‘set up shop’ here. She brings a degree in Marketing & Design, plus experience in Advertising to the table, which makes her a good fit for our growing marketing team. Clare works across our print and digital comms, and because she’s a Gen Y, she manages our social media too. She is a big fan of brunch, low gradient hikes, travel and sleep-ins.

Suye Chan

Marketing Assistant

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With over a decades experience in the publishing industry, Suye felt it was time to start a new challenge while still making the best use of her communication and translation skills. Suye's role now at Touch of Spice is a Marketing Assistant. Suye is multi-lingual so she enjoys meeting people from different nationalities.

Edan Rutherford

Sales and Administration Assistant

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Edan’s strong working background in customer service, events and tourism have developed a passion perfect for the culture that drives Touch of Spice. Moving to Queenstown after three years living in Sydney, Edan says it was an easy decision for herself and husband, Michael, who find it hard to miss the big city buzz when surrounded by the forever stunning Central Otago landscape. Being an animal lover, Edan spends her spare time taking her gorgeous dog for walks, enjoying great food and spending time with friends.