About us

Francesca

Francesca started The Mermaid Guesthouse back in 1995, having arrived in Wellington after 20 years living in Greece. Inviting Travellers into her home was a way of experiencing the world and at the same time providing an interesting environment for her and daughter Phaedra. Passionate about travel and experiencing other cultures Francesca has a love of cooking and exploring food, photography, design, eco friendly options in life, animals and music. Dreams of having a house on a Pacific Island! Her and partner Kate currently run Pacific Perfumes, a highly successful business creating Cream Perfumes for the gift and souvenir market around NZ and the Pacific.

Joyce

Joyce keeps her finger on the pulse at The Mermaid Guesthouse and brings her dry sense of humour, practicality, wisdom, and love of history to the daily running of the Guesthouse. She has an amazing memory for detail, especially about the eras pre- through to post- War New Zealand. She's started several businesses (restaurant and wholesale) and holds the fort at Pacific Perfumes while the bosses are away on business! Joyce has a love of exotic and unusal treasures. She can also be seen each year with a gorgeous array of wares at both the Gay and Lesbian and Tinakori Christmas Fairs. Joyce is Francesca's mother.

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