12/06/2026
Meet Jay, the friendly face helping bring events, celebrations and weddings to life at Caccia Birch House.
Since joining the team in 2021, Jay has become an important part of one of Palmerston North’s most loved historic venues. Originally from Thailand, she moved to New Zealand 12 years ago, living in Auckland, Bulls, and Paihia before settling in Palmerston North with her husband to be closer to family. Looking for a role close to home, she discovered Caccia Birch House and instantly knew it was unlike anywhere she had worked before. “It felt like the most amazing workplace I had ever seen".
Over the years, she has watched Caccia Birch House grow into an even stronger part of the community, welcoming locals and visitors alike to enjoy the gardens, lagoon, and beautiful historic home whether for picnics, walks, weddings, or special events. One of the things she loves most is seeing guests return time and time again because of how much they enjoy the venue.
Working inside the grand historic home still feels special every day. From the high ceilings and intricate wood panelling to the peaceful gardens and towering trees, the atmosphere is something she says never loses its charm.
And after helping deliver more than 200 corporate meetings, alongside dozens of weddings, private functions, and community events, she knows exactly what it takes behind the scenes to make an event run smoothly.
One wedding that stayed with her involved carefully balancing cultural traditions with the practical needs of the venue — creating a celebration that respected both the family’s customs and the unique character of Caccia Birch House. Having worked with people from many different cultures over the years, she says every event shares one thing in common: everyone simply wants their special day to feel perfect.
“I’m proud to help weddings and events run smoothly so people can enjoy their day.”
Among the many memorable moments, one still makes her smile. During a wedding, she suddenly realised the groom and his mother were speaking Thai. To their surprise, she joined the conversation in Thai herself. “It felt like I had found old friends,” she says.
She is especially proud to have helped deliver the Dunhuang Exhibition in 2025, assisting from the very beginning to carefully plan and position the UNESCO World Heritage-listed artworks and sculptures throughout the house. It was a rare behind-the-scenes opportunity to help transform the venue into a world-class exhibition space.
When asked about her favourite place on the property, the answer comes easily: the view of the tulip tree from the Nannestad Conservatory, especially during autumn.
For her, Caccia Birch House is more than just a workplace. It is somewhere people can pause, reflect, and escape from the rush of everyday life — a place where visitors can wander through the house and gardens and imagine stepping back into another era.
And after a busy weekend of weddings and events? “Sitting down to cuddle my kids while my husband cooks dinner,” she says.
After all these years, Caccia Birch House still means one thing most of all to her: an amazing workplace that gives her the perfect work-life balance.
