About Us

As Executive Chair of Scenic Hotel Group, Lani works closely with her extended team to oversee the operation of the company’s 18 hotels throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, and its Corporate Support Office in Christchurch.

Scenic Hotel Group represents New Zealand’s largest privately owned and operated hotel business with a network of hotels in both metropolitan cities and provincial centres, as well as tourist markets in New Zealand and the Pacific.

Lani’s career with Scenic Hotel Group began in 1987 when she was employed as a financial controller. Today she sits at the top table, assisted by the company’s Board of Directors, overseeing the Group’s strategic direction and growth prospects.

Lani is passionate about tourism as well as Scenic Hotel Group’s involvement in local communities and is a very active philanthropist, continuing the legacy established by her late husband Earl Hagaman. Lani is the current chair of the Helen Anderson trust – a centre that provides support for people aged 18 and up with mental and physical disability.

Simon White commenced his career in the hospitality industry in 1989, working his way up through the industry for various hotel chains in Australia before moving to New Zealand in 2001 where he commenced working for Rydges Hotels & Resorts (EVENT Hospitality and Entertainment).

Since this time Simon has held various General Manager and Area General Manager roles and currently holds a senior leadership position with EVENT Hospitality and Entertainment as General Manager Hotel Operations, New Zealand.

The Event Group’s hospitality division operates QT Hotels & Resorts, Rydges Hotels & Resorts, Atura Hotels brands and an independent collection of Hotels through license or franchise agreements.

Marcus Reinders has recently returned to New Zealand to take up the position of CEO for NZ Hotel Holdings.  Marcus has over 30 years’ experience working in hotels. He started his working life as a houseman and bellman at the Sheraton (now the Cordis) in Auckland.  Over the past few years, Marcus has worked in area roles for Marriott International, including in Europe where he oversaw 500+ properties.  NZ Hotel Holdings is a joint venture between NZ Super Fund, the Russell Group and Lockwood Property Group.  Its hotels include Four Points by Sheraton Auckland, Adina Hotel Auckland,  BreakFree on Cashel Christchurch, Rydges Rotorua, Sofitel Queenstown, QT Auckland and Rydges Wellington.

Rachael Nicholson is an accomplished tourism executive with over 23
years’ global experience in the cruise and airline industries. Rachael
joined Heritage Hotel Management in August 2022 as Group General
Manager Operations.

Prior to joining Heritage Hotel Group, Rachael was at Air New Zealand
responsible for leading the airline’s Covid-19 response, Global ReStart programme of work, and the establishment of services to New
York. During her 18-year career at Air New Zealand her portfolios of
responsibility spanned sales, revenue, operations, supply chain,
marketing and strategic alliances.

Rachael has a B.Sc and an M.Sc (Hons) from the University of
Canterbury and published papers in the Journal of Travel Research
and the Journal of Vacation Marketing. Rachael is keen to inspire and
support the next generation of leaders and is a regular mentor for the
not-for-profit Travel Industry Mentor Experience (TIME) organisation.

Industry stalwart Ronnie Ronalde has devoted 30 years of his life to
the New Zealand hotel industry, and is well-known for his
contributions to industry issues and events, legislation and
representing the hotel sector on international event committees.
Ronnie has realised the vision of positioning CPG Hotels as an
enviable group while driving up to triple digit increases in revenue
year on year, overseeing multi-million dollar refurbishments and
leading an exceptional team, including a pivotal role in the creation
and establishment of the CPG Hotels new luxury brand, Fable Hotels
& Resorts.
His commitment to introducing initiatives that bring to life values
that guide guest experience, environmental awareness and social
purpose are signature actions that reinforce Ronnie’s unwavering
focus on excellence across the group