Our Team
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Bernice - Multitasker, Customer Service Legend
You’ll find Bernice having a cheeky chuckle with anyone she meets! Bernice used to own and run Yumm cafe at the Colombo, before her big move down the corridor to be our customer service extraordinaire.
Bernice is always on the go - whether she’s on the family farm with her partner Hamish (and their dog and cats), with us in-store or doing some odd jobs with her dad here and there. She is a customer service legend, both in person or online - she’ll help you out no matter what pickle you’re in.
I am passionate about…
"It would be fair to say that a huge passion of mine is Wool and mainly NZ wool products. They have become big discussions in our house leading to heated talks around how much is too much to pay for a wool band aid and my dairy farmer husband refusing to use (*eye rolls*). I think this passion has been encouraged largely by Assi as we team up to take over NZ with a goal to make wool more affordable for every NZ home. I love it when customers come in store with the same beliefs about wool but also those ones that we manage to talk out of the old myths that can sometimes be tied to wool (it's not all itchy and scratchy like your grandmother used to make you wear!)."
What is your favourite season...
"I might be one of the few kiwis working here but I too am a big fan of winter. Could be tied to my passion for wool but I much prefer the colder days. Lighting a candle jumping on the couch with the cats and dog (not that our dog is inside if my landlords are reading this) and settling in to watch sport or a really trashy TV show."
What makes you happy?
"I am really happy when I spend time with my family and friends and a wee gin and tonic in hand also helps. Bring on late August when I can enjoy them again!"
What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment?
"I'm currently reading the Little Book of Happiness and absolutely loving that! I really enjoy listening to podcasts on my commute to and from work one of my favs at the moment is the Toni & Ryan podcast. I'm pretty embarrassed to admit I love a cheeky season of Love Island so happy that it has started back up!"
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Pia - Customer Service / Multitasker
Pia is our ultimate Nordic Chill mum, she just does not look after our customers but all of us staff members too, yet not forgetting her own three sons. Pia is originally trained as a nurse and left her home country Finland many years ago first to live in Jersey, then back to Finland and back and forth to Qatar and Dubai until making home in New Zealand five years ago with her husband and boys. This fearless Finn can tackle whatever challenge is thrown at her.
I am passionate about…
What is your favourite season…
What makes you happy...
What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment...
If I were a Moomin character, I would be…
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Rebecca - Store Manager
Rebecca is the new store manager, here to make sure that all of the practical daily activities of the store run smoothly. She brings a wealth of knowledge in burger-making, stock-takes and managing teenagers with her. Rebecca is always willing to lend a helping hand and to learn something new - so if you spot her in the shop feel free to tell her a fun fact :)
I am passionate about…
"Reading! I’m quite the reader - so far this year I have read 152 books - and I’ve got two on the go at the moment. My favouritething is curling up on a rainy day with a good book and hot drink, and hopefully a cat one day too."
What is your favourite season…
"Oh that’s a tough toss up between autumn and spring for me, it’s not too cold, but not too warm either. And I really enjoy the variety of colours that come out during these times of the year, from pale pink cherry blossoms in spring to the beautiful rich colours in autumn."
What makes you happy...
"I love my family and friends - I’m pretty cruisy about what we do, but a dip in the hot pools followed by a hot chocolate is pretty unbeatable. I also really love to bake with my mum, it’s our weekend tradition, our favourites to make are chocolate cake and gingernuts."
What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment...
"I recently finished Pretty Little Mistake by Micalea Smeltz, and I would give it a solid 4 stars. It was a good book, with a bit of drama - and lots of romance :)"
If I were a Moomin character, I would be…
"Too-ticky - both practical and warm-hearted. Too-ticky enjoys her own company but also is always there to help others. She doesn’t let things get to her and can be relied upon to bring her practical problem-solving skills to bear on any dilemma."
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Assi, Cam, Emmett & Nico
West-Meltonians Assi and Cam are the innovative owners of Nordic Chill. Assi (a Finn) has hand-grown the business since 2014, starting from a tiny wee pop up shop, combining her skill for visual design as well as love for beautiful items. Taranaki-raised Cam joined the business little later, after working as an engineer designing vegetable processing equipment for a number of years. You’ll be sure to meet him on his delivery runs! Their sweet, cheeky, rubbish-recycling loving Emmett joined the family in early 2018 followed by baby brother Nico in December 2021.
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Assi - Owner & Multitasker
I am passionate about…
"Colourful things, my favourite motto is “Life is too short to blend in”, knitting, anything made out of wool, especially throws and of course Moomin mugs. I self-proclaim to have the largest collection of Moomin mugs in NZ."
What is your favourite season...
"Winter, hands down. A day over +15 makes me sweat."
What makes you happy...
"Our two gorgeous boys exploring, growing and learning new things. Their infections laughter."
What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment...
"Brand new release, My Hygge Home by Meik Wiking. Absolutely love it! It is so effortlessly written yet full of facts, tips and inspiration."
If I were a Moomin character, I would be…
"Sniff - He’s very good-natured and sometimes a little cowardly. Sniff loves all valuable things and gets excited whenever he encounters some. Sniff makes many plans to get rich, even though they usually don’t succeed."
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Cam - Owner & Delivery Driver
I am passionate about…
"Coming from an engineering background and raised on a farm I'm interested in pretty much all machines (cars, tractors, 4wds) as well as spending some time outside (skiing, biking, tramping, camping). I enjoy driving many kilometers in our delivery van and getting to meet some of our happy customers. Nordic Home/House design (the technical aspects) is also a particular interest of mine along with DIY. These skills have been put to good use building our Nordic Village at the Colombo Mall with many hours also spent on our home in West Melton."
What is your favourite season...
"Hard to choose. I like the winter a lot more now that we have a decent warm home and love visiting the snow. Summer is great for camping, getting on the water and BBQ. The contrast is nice."
What makes you happy...
"Road trips and adventure. Seeing new places. Also seeing our kids experience new things and places. I once rode a motorcycle the length of Africa, and hope to do something similar again when the kids get a bit older. Completing a DIY project also brings satisfaction."
What are you reading/watching/listening to at the moment...
"Mainly topics centred around technology. Quite a few Youtube subscriptions featuring people reviewing new tech in future energy and automotive design."
If I were a Moomin character, I would be…
"Snork - He is good with his hands and sometimes constructs his own complex inventions in his workshop. Snork researches things for himself and then passes on his knowledge and observations to others. When required, Snork rolls up his sleeves and skilfully organises even the most demanding of projects. Precision is crucial to him."