19 October 2023

Marzena Orlecka joined Te Pae in May 2022 as an Event coordinator and was recently promoted to our Food and Beverage Manager.  

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Marzena brings a broad range of experience and skills which she acquired from her career in Poland and South Africa.

Marzena’s career in the hospitality world started in Poland while she was studying to become an Accountant. What was supposed to be a short-term opportunity turned out to be a career, as she completely fell in love with the industry.  

Her energy and passion led her to climb the ladder in the hospitality and events industry. In 2010, she joined the Soccer FIFA World Cup as the Food and Beverage Manager in South Africa.   

“I witness how much joy it brings to people when they get to experience a “social event” regardless of what type of event it is. It is where I learned that I like to “take up the stress” of planning and organising for weeks or months, just to see the smile on people’s face for a day or an hour.” 

Her personal life brought her to New Zealand in January 2020. After working for The Christchurch Club and at the Botanical Gardens, she felt the need to get back into a large events environment and could not think of a better place than Te Pae Christchurch. 

“Being part of this team makes me very proud. It was amazing to experience all the steps to where we are today and to be part of the Te Pae culture and family. Everyone working in this place has been a rock and great support to each other and the achievements we made have been a collective success of all of us coming together.” 

Passionate about her work, it is Marzena’s curiosity and desire to make people happy that makes her stand out and led her to win the “EVANZ Raising Star of the Year” award last year.

“Winning the award was very unexpected. There is such exciting potential for young people in this country, they are all amazing. I dedicated the award to my team who worked really hard alongside me to deliver exceptional events.” 

When she is not working, you will find Marzena out hiking, skiing or fishing and spending time with her family. Marzena is always on the hunt for a new activity that connects her to nature and reinvigorates her energy for managing the next event!