She was born in Denmark in 1949 and lived her early years in India.

She came to New Zealand at the age of eight and has lived most of her life here, with a few forays overseas from time to time, some long and some short.

She and her husband opened the Wellington jewellery store upstairs in Lambton Quay in 1988 and shifted the store to its present position in Grey Street in 2005.

The store specialises in contemporary precious metal jewellery from New Zealand and all over the world.

The store showcases a number of New Zealand artists and their own work which is designed on site. Hanne also travels overseas to source the latest and best in European design.

Staff at the store all have a background in smithing or design and there is an store design service so that jewellery can be custom made to suit any requirements.