About us

Learn more about Blackball's Inn and 08 Cafe's staff.

Owners Pat and Jane
Pat and Jane have been together 37 years. Jane bought the Blackball shop from Pat in 1982 - and didn’t read the fine print. He came with it just a few months later! Pat’s a real Coaster, arriving in this world in Greymouth in 1944. He worked as a butcher at his father’s shop in town and later reinvented himself as the original Blackball Salami man. Jane, a teacher by trade, owned Formerly The Blackball Hilton from 1994 until August 2008. Then they both sold up and moved to Motueka and latterly to the Moutere Valley. But late 2018 they returned and in March 2019 they bought the Club Hotel, renamed it The Blackball Inn and they’re into it, already relishing their new roles in life. As their nephew Samuel said,  'It’s better than sitting around waiting to die". Jane and Pat’s combined ages = 148!

Nick Secker
Nick is a local lad who went to Blackball School, then Nelson College, and graduated from Otago with a science degree. Since then he’s had careers all over the place in conservation, dairy, and hospitality with a stint of his OE in SW England working at the Ralegh’s Cross Inn. Currently his full time occupation is as Reefton Distilling Co.’s Head Distiller producing quality spirits, which you can sample for yourself at the Inn. Now a Blackball homeowner, Nick hopes to work locally in his town full time one day, but currently helps part time on busy days at the Inn. "Providing a second to none hospitality experience is something I take very seriously," he said "and now I have this opportunity to showcase my hometown to keen trampers and cyclists traversing the Paparoa Track - I can’t wait!”

Caroline Mardon
Kitchen whizz and bar maid extraordinaire Caroline is a recent and happy arrival on the Coast. She lives in Ngahere. She comes from a hospitality background having worked in pubs, and cafes. You'll find her presence behind the bar a delight. She has four children and 9 grandchildren.

Astra Elizabeth
Astra is a bubbly local who loves meeting new customers ( and old ones) and she's interested in learning about everyone's connections to Blackball.  She studied at Tai Poutini Polytechnic where she gained her Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality.  She has her L.C.Q. but it'll be another year before she's old enough to become a manager.

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