Spotlight on Two of Our Customer Service Superstars: Alison & Monika

At Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park, our Front desk isn’t just where check-ins happen — it’s where warm welcomes, local tips, and plenty of good laughs begin. Our customer service team is made up of absolute legends, and today we’re putting the spotlight on two of them: Alison and Monika. Between them, they’ve got travel tales, heartwarming histories, and enough personality to power the whole Park.

Hospitality Backstory

Monika (aka Moni) brings international flair to the front desk — born in Switzerland, she worked in numerous 4- and 5-star hotels in her home country before moving to New Zealand, where she studied tourism and hospitality in Auckland. During her time in the City of Sails, Moni also helped welcome thousands of cruise ship passengers during turnarounds and worked at Spark’s head office, on both reception and in security. Since joining the Tāhuna Beach team, she’s completed a business qualification with a focus on team leadership, plus – we’re a bit proud – was named Student of the Year across all NZ Holiday Parks in 2022.

Alison, originally from bonnie Scotland, has lived in Nelson for 38 years and brings a whole lot of heart and humour to the team. Alison worked as a mental health nurse before making the move to New Zealand where she changed sectors to tourism and hospitality (motel management) while raising her family of two kids and now four grandkids in Nelson. She also helped her husband run an engineering business, although she’s still waiting on that first pay-cheque…

Beyond the Desk – Passions and Pursuits

When she’s not at Reception, Moni is likely out walking in nature, travelling the world, painting, listening to music, or practising Reiki — she’s Level 2 certified and deeply passionate about healing and helping others. She believes strongly in self-empowerment and finding contentment in life — values she brings to work every day in the way she connects with guests and colleagues.

Alison is an avid reader, a music lover (think blues, jazz, and a touch of dance), and a traveller at heart — maybe that’s why tourism suits her so well! She also enjoys walking and cycling, although she’ll tell you switching to an e-bike was a mistake: “You’ve got to charge it, plan ahead … I think I prefer spontaneity.”

A-Listers and Banana Splits

We love a good Fun Fact around here, and Monika’s got two of the best: she helped successfully relocate 4,000 of the giant but rare native snails from Stockton Mine on the West Coast in 2006 as part of a conservation effort.  AND she once served Keanu Reeves in a Swiss hotel. (Yes, he was lovely and a gentleman. No, she didn’t get a selfie – we asked.)

Alison’s greatest hits include accidentally dropping a banana split on a café customer while waitressing in Jersey (the customer was not amused, not helped by the fact a very young Alison couldn’t stop laughing with nerves), and once pulling a chair out as a prank that ended with a customer on the floor. He came back though, and they became friends. It’s all about how you recover from mistakes; that’s customer retention at its finest.

Loving Life in Nelson

Both Monika and Alison are proud to call Nelson home — though Moni’s “chosen family” is here while her biological family lives in Switzerland. She’s lived on and off in the region since 2007 and loves its outdoorsy lifestyle, vibrant art scene, and peaceful walking spots like Rabbit Island. She also makes time to visit friends in Golden Bay, where she lived for a decade.

Alison, with her roots deep in Nelson after nearly four decades, still travels back to Scotland to see her sisters and extended family. But here, she loves the bush walks, beaches (as long as they’re not too hot), and pretty spots like Mapua and Kaiteriteri. Her perfect day? A scenic drive — as a passenger, please — followed by some good food and great music.

Restaurant Favs

When they’re not helping guests at the front desk, you might spot Alison grabbing a bite at Harry’s Bar, Stephano’s, Grape Escape or Little India. Moni’s local favourite? Tides Bar and Eatery — a classy spot with equally great vibes.

The Takeaway? These Women Are Legends

Alison and Monika are just two members of our incredible customer service team here at Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park, but their stories and energy are worth celebrating. Whether they’re helping guests navigate their first time in Nelson, sharing a laugh during check-in, or offering local tips with a side of wisdom, they do it all with heart.

So next time you’re at the Park, swing by Reception, say hello, and bask in their natural sunshine.