Franchise NZ - Winter 2025

40

Franchise New Zealand Winter 2025 Year 34 Issue 02

Waipuna Hotel &

Conference Centre

www.waipunahotel.co.nz

Contact

Shelley Trutsch

027 499 2412

09 526 3008

sales@waipunahotel.co.nz

Advertiser Info

“We love having franchises as our guests,” says Shelley Trutsch, sales

and marketing manager of the popular Waipuna Hotel & Conference

Centre, based in Auckland’s Mt Wellington. “Waipuna has been a

FANZ member since 2003 – over the years, we have hosted dozens of

franchise networks’ training events and conferences, and they keep

coming back! That’s fine by us – we’ve got the equation right – we go the

extra mile for franchises!”

Now familiar to hundreds of franchisees, the Waipuna Hotel and

Conference Centre is a facility with a difference. Shelley explains, “We

offer 17 different venues on site which can host everything from small

meeting groups up to events of 300 people. The Waipuna is incredibly

convenient for guests using the motorways, Auckland airport, or

travelling into the central city, and crucially we offer free parking. For so

many franchisees that is a major bonus.”

Tony Burnette, general manager for major award-winning franchise,

Exceed, agrees. “When you have 50 people turning up in their vans

for a training session, free and convenient parking is essential.

We’ve used the Waipuna for everything from regional meetings to

national conferences, roadshows and supplier expos, and they make

it completely easy and stress-free for us. Everything is convenient, in-

house, and the quality of food, accommodation and event organisation

is outstanding.”

“The Waipuna is wholly New Zealand born and owned and none of

the profits go overseas to a faceless multi-national,” says Shelley.

“We’ve concentrated upon local quality for local people. Last year we

changed hands and became a Prime Hotel, under Primeproperty Group’s

ownership. Their sole aim was to make improvements to what the

Waipuna does. They’ve had a hard task because we were excellent in

the first place!” she laughs. “Immediately after the change of ownership

we won the 2024 2Degrees Auckland Business Award for Excellence in

Customer Service Delivery – a real feather in our cap!”

Shelley joined the Waipuna in 2007 as a part-timer in the restaurant, and

moved into sales several years later, becoming well known at franchise

network events, and of course often hosting them. “We have a great

facility with enormous advantages to the franchise and commercial

sector – very close to central

Auckland, with all facilities under

one roof. Our strength is the personal

touch - we know and understand that

every franchise is different, and we

pride ourselves on producing an event

that is tailor-made to suit your needs.

“We are maintaining and enhancing

the spirit and philosophy of our

hospitality under the new ownership

and our welcome will be just as warm

in the future. All bases can be covered

so call me, any time, for a quote.”

Shelley Trutsch: a warm welcome

Waipuna Hotel & Conference

Centre has new owners, committed

to excellence.

WARM WELCOME

Franchise Management

Experience has taught us

the power of efficiency

Find us online:

asco.co.nz

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Call Alistair van Schalkwyk

in the first instance on 09 308 8071

or email alistair@ascolegal.co.nz

Contact

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