Latest news with #HospitalityNewZealand
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
2025 Lion Hospitality New Zealand Awards For Excellence
Hospitality New Zealand has revealed the finalists for the 2025 Lion Hospitality NZ Awards for Excellence, recognising the country's leading individuals and businesses in hospitality and accommodation. The announcement comes ahead of the highly anticipated HNZ25 conference, set to take place at Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre on 10 and 11 June. This year's event, themed 'Thriving Together,' will bring the industry together to celebrate collaboration, leadership, and resilience. 'The calibre of this year's finalists speaks volumes about the talent and tenacity driving our industry,' says Steve Armitage, Chief Executive of Hospitality New Zealand. 'Each one reflects the energy, care, and creativity that hospitality in Aotearoa is known for. The Awards for Excellence are our opportunity to acknowledge those individuals and businesses who are raising the bar through their commitment to excellence, and we're proud to recognise their impact and celebrate their success.' Finalists this year include familiar venues and individuals from Craggy Range and Hotel Britomart, and new entrants from TALA, The Church Pub and Peekaboo Backyard Eatery. The finalists' ongoing contributions to innovation, sustainability, and outstanding service have earned them national recognition. The range of nominees showcases the depth of talent and entrepreneurial spirit that continues to elevate New Zealand's hospitality sector. The awards will be presented over two evenings at HNZ25. On Tuesday 10 June, the People's Awards for Excellence, proudly supported by DB, recognises outstanding individuals, from emerging talent and inspirational leaders. On Wednesday 11 June, with Radio NZ's Jesse Mulligan hosting, the Lion Hospitality Business Awards will spotlight venues who are setting the standard in innovation, sustainability, customer experience, and overall excellence. Craig Baldie, Managing Director of Lion New Zealand, shared his congratulations: 'We're proud to once again sponsor these awards and celebrate the outstanding operators who deliver world-class hospitality across Aotearoa. These finalists represent the very best of our industry. Their passion, innovation and commitment to excellence continue to set the standard and lead our sector into a thriving future. It's a privilege to support and recognise those who are making such a positive impact in their communities and in hospitality as a whole. Congratulations to all of this year's finalists on this well-earned recognition.' Matt Wilson, Managing Director at DB Breweries, says, 'We're incredibly proud to back the People's Awards for Excellence this year. These finalists represent the heart of hospitality - the people - and it's a privilege to celebrate those who go above and beyond every day to create unforgettable experiences for their customers and communities. Congratulations to all the finalists and we look forward to celebrating with you all next month.' The finalists' announcement sets the stage for an exciting HNZ25, where hundreds of industry professionals will gather to connect, learn, and celebrate excellence across the sector.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo A Win For Auckland
Press Release – Hospitality New Zealand The announcement that the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will travel to Auckland in February 2026 is great news for hospitality and accommodation businesses, says Hospitality New Zealand (Hospitality NZ). Eden Park will host a full-scale production of the Tattoo's 75th anniversary Show on 19 and 21 February 2025 – the first time Auckland has hosted the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and marking the event's return to New Zealand for the first time since 2015. Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Steve Armitage says securing large-scale events like the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is vital for hospitality and accommodation businesses. 'Securing an event like the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is not just a coup for Auckland's cultural calendar, but will also have a tangible impact on hospitality.' 'As soon as the lights go up at Eden Park next February, the lights go on right across our sector – every ticket sold is a seat filled in a restaurant, a room booked in a hotel, and another chance for us to showcase the manaakitanga that makes New Zealand hospitality unforgettable.' Eden Park Chief Executive Nick Sautner says, 'We are delighted to host The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Eden Park for the first time. As a globally recognised, multi-purpose venue, Eden Park is proud to welcome events of this scale and prestige. This iconic production embodies our vision of delivering the World's Greatest Show, right here in Tāmaki Makaurau – connecting communities and celebrating culture on a world stage.' Says Steve Armitage, 'To ensure we keep bringing events of this calibre to our shores, we need a clear, nationwide events-funding mechanism so councils and organisers have the certainty to bid for and host future world-class events.' About Hospitality NZ: Hospitality New Zealand represents more than 2,500 hospitality and accommodation businesses across Aotearoa, supporting world-class manaakitanga (hospitality). Our members span the food and beverage, accommodation, entertainment, tourism, and hospitality service sectors. We provide our members with the tools, resources, partnerships and knowledge they need to succeed. We advocate to ensure the industry's voice is heard in government, shaping policies for a sustainable future.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo A Win For Auckland
The announcement that the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will travel to Auckland in February 2026 is great news for hospitality and accommodation businesses, says Hospitality New Zealand (Hospitality NZ). Eden Park will host a full-scale production of the Tattoo's 75th anniversary Show on 19 and 21 February 2025 – the first time Auckland has hosted the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and marking the event's return to New Zealand for the first time since 2015. Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Steve Armitage says securing large-scale events like the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is vital for hospitality and accommodation businesses. 'Securing an event like the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is not just a coup for Auckland's cultural calendar, but will also have a tangible impact on hospitality.' 'As soon as the lights go up at Eden Park next February, the lights go on right across our sector – every ticket sold is a seat filled in a restaurant, a room booked in a hotel, and another chance for us to showcase the manaakitanga that makes New Zealand hospitality unforgettable.' Eden Park Chief Executive Nick Sautner says, 'We are delighted to host The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Eden Park for the first time. As a globally recognised, multi-purpose venue, Eden Park is proud to welcome events of this scale and prestige. This iconic production embodies our vision of delivering the World's Greatest Show, right here in Tāmaki Makaurau - connecting communities and celebrating culture on a world stage.' Says Steve Armitage, 'To ensure we keep bringing events of this calibre to our shores, we need a clear, nationwide events-funding mechanism so councils and organisers have the certainty to bid for and host future world-class events.' About Hospitality NZ: Hospitality New Zealand represents more than 2,500 hospitality and accommodation businesses across Aotearoa, supporting world-class manaakitanga (hospitality). Our members span the food and beverage, accommodation, entertainment, tourism, and hospitality service sectors. We provide our members with the tools, resources, partnerships and knowledge they need to succeed. We advocate to ensure the industry's voice is heard in government, shaping policies for a sustainable future.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Verification App To Prove A Game-changer For Identity Checks
Press Release – Hospitality NZ Being a government-led tool provides confidence that digital identification will be recognised across other government agencies, and its user-friendly cost-free model encourages widespread adoption across venues and accommodation. Hospitality New Zealand (Hospitality NZ) is today welcoming the launch of the NZ Verify/Whakatūturu App, verifying international digital credentials. Hospitality NZ Chief Executive, Steve Armitage, says 'We're pleased to see that the Government has invested in this solution that supports businesses managing identity checks. 'Being a government-led tool provides confidence that digital identification will be recognised across other government agencies, and its user-friendly cost-free model encourages widespread adoption across venues and accommodation. 'We also note that NZ Verify//Whakatūturu does not store any personally identifiable information and only allows businesses to check information that the user has consented to share.' Hospitality New Zealand also manages the Kiwi Access Card, a government recognised form of photographic identification and evidence of age card. 'Through the Kiwi Access Card, we are also exploring digital credentials, and hope to be the first privately-delivered digitised identification card, enabling it to be checked by NZ Verify//Whakatūturu.' The Department of Internal Affairs will showcase the app at Hospitality New Zealand's annual conference in June, to help hospitality businesses adopt and evolve with digital identity developments.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Verification App To Prove A Game-changer For Identity Checks
Hospitality New Zealand (Hospitality NZ) is today welcoming the launch of the NZ Verify/Whakatūturu App, verifying international digital credentials. Hospitality NZ Chief Executive, Steve Armitage, says 'We're pleased to see that the Government has invested in this solution that supports businesses managing identity checks. 'Being a government-led tool provides confidence that digital identification will be recognised across other government agencies, and its user-friendly cost-free model encourages widespread adoption across venues and accommodation. 'We also note that NZ Verify//Whakatūturu does not store any personally identifiable information and only allows businesses to check information that the user has consented to share.' Hospitality New Zealand also manages the Kiwi Access Card, a government recognised form of photographic identification and evidence of age card. 'Through the Kiwi Access Card, we are also exploring digital credentials, and hope to be the first privately-delivered digitised identification card, enabling it to be checked by NZ Verify//Whakatūturu.' The Department of Internal Affairs will showcase the app at Hospitality New Zealand's annual conference in June, to help hospitality businesses adopt and evolve with digital identity developments.
