Latest news with #RestaurantAssociation
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
New report shows growth in some regions despite tough first quarter for hospitality industry
Several regions posted standout results including Nelson with a near 17 percent year-on-year increase in revenue, followed by Queenstown-Lakes at 13 percent. Photo: 123RF The hospitality industry has had a tough start to the year, with flat national sales growth, rising operating costs and workforce shortages. The Restaurant Association's Hospitality Industry Report for the first quarter ended March indicates total sales rose just one percent to $4 billion over the year earlier. Sales were also down 5.9 percent on the fourth quarter of 2024, which included the busy festive and function season. "The summer trading period was softer than expected for many operators, and long-standing challenges like high fixed costs, wage pressure and staff shortages continue to weigh heavily," Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois said. "While inflation may be easing on paper, our members are still feeling significant cost strain on the ground." However, several regions posted standout results including Nelson with a near 17 percent year-on-year increase in revenue, followed by Queenstown-Lakes at 13 percent. On the flip side, Auckland saw marginal growth of just 0.4 percent and other regions, including Marlborough and Hawke's Bay, reported declines. "This data reinforces the fact that a one-size-fits-all recovery approach won't work," Bidois said. "Tailored, regionally responsive strategies are vital." She said staffing also remained a challenge, particularly for senior roles, with 72 percent of businesses reporting difficulty in filling those positions. While entry-level roles were becoming easier to fill, she said workforce shortages and visa processing delays continued to constrain growth for many. In response, she said the Restaurant Association was progressing at pace with the 65-point sector action plan, which had a particular focus on workforce development, business sustainability and long-term competitiveness. "Hospitality businesses aren't standing still - they're adapting, innovating, and working hard to stay viable," she said. "To unlock the next phase of growth, we'll continue working with government and our partners to progress our action plan and ensure the value our sector brings - culturally, socially, and economically - is fully recognised." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Hospitality Industry Welcomes $2.6 Million Investment In Regional Events
Press Release – Restaurant Association of NZ With a year-long outlook and a focus on supporting regional events, the Regional Events Promotion Fund is a positive step towards encouraging domestic tourism and bolstering regions and industry across Aotearoa. The Restaurant Association has welcomed the Government's investment of $2.6 million in 152 events through the second round of funding from the Regional Events Promotion Fund. 'Each of our regions have a unique food and beverage story that is vital to New Zealand's overall appeal as an international destination of choice.' says Marisa Bidois, Chief Executive of the Restaurant Association. 'From Northland's recognition in National Geographic's Best of the World 2025, to Hastings' nomination as a UNESCO city of gastronomy, it is clear that our regions being strong and resilient is a key part of maintaining our tourism brand on the global stage,' says Marisa. With a year-long outlook and a focus on supporting regional events, the Regional Events Promotion Fund is a positive step towards encouraging domestic tourism and bolstering regions and industry across Aotearoa. 'All events play a critical role in attracting visitors to our regions and bringing our town centres to life, however there are a number of investments supporting food and beverage specific events across the country over the coming year, which we are particularly proud to see.' Coupled with the Government's regional tourism boost, the Regional Events Promotion Fund gives regions an opportunity to shine and share their unique stories. 'We look forward to supporting our industry to make the most of these events over the coming year, and to put our regional food and beverage stories front and centre of our tourism offering as a country.' Note: The Restaurant Association is the link between good food, and good business. It supports New Zealand's diverse and creative hospitality businesses to deliver first class experiences to diners. Since its humble beginnings in 1972, it has worked to offer advice, help and assistance in every facet of the vibrant and diverse hospitality industry. The organisation now represents, advocates and cheerleads for more than 2500 hospitality businesses within New Zealand. It offers 24/7 advice and assistance on key industry issues, from property lease advice to wellness in the workplace. The Association provides its members with industry-wide accreditation programs which set best practice standards and help them measure how they're tracking. It also works in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development to deliver the Hospostart and Springboard training programmes.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Hospitality Industry Welcomes $2.6 Million Investment In Regional Events
The Restaurant Association has welcomed the Government's investment of $2.6 million in 152 events through the second round of funding from the Regional Events Promotion Fund. 'Each of our regions have a unique food and beverage story that is vital to New Zealand's overall appeal as an international destination of choice.' says Marisa Bidois, Chief Executive of the Restaurant Association. 'From Northland's recognition in National Geographic's Best of the World 2025, to Hastings' nomination as a UNESCO city of gastronomy, it is clear that our regions being strong and resilient is a key part of maintaining our tourism brand on the global stage,' says Marisa. With a year-long outlook and a focus on supporting regional events, the Regional Events Promotion Fund is a positive step towards encouraging domestic tourism and bolstering regions and industry across Aotearoa. 'All events play a critical role in attracting visitors to our regions and bringing our town centres to life, however there are a number of investments supporting food and beverage specific events across the country over the coming year, which we are particularly proud to see.' Coupled with the Government's regional tourism boost, the Regional Events Promotion Fund gives regions an opportunity to shine and share their unique stories. 'We look forward to supporting our industry to make the most of these events over the coming year, and to put our regional food and beverage stories front and centre of our tourism offering as a country.' Note: The Restaurant Association is the link between good food, and good business. It supports New Zealand's diverse and creative hospitality businesses to deliver first class experiences to diners. Since its humble beginnings in 1972, it has worked to offer advice, help and assistance in every facet of the vibrant and diverse hospitality industry. The organisation now represents, advocates and cheerleads for more than 2500 hospitality businesses within New Zealand. It offers 24/7 advice and assistance on key industry issues, from property lease advice to wellness in the workplace. The Association provides its members with industry-wide accreditation programs which set best practice standards and help them measure how they're tracking. It also works in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development to deliver the Hospostart and Springboard training programmes.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Tax Changes Positive For Hospo, Kiwisaver Changes Raise Concern
Restaurant Association of NZ - Latest News [Page 1] The Restaurant Association is also pleased to see that the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality will be responsible for $190 million of revenue from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy in the 2025/26 financial year. More >> Supporting Hospitality As An Economic Driver And Global Attraction Crucial For Budget 2025 Wednesday, 21 May 2025, 8:06 am | Restaurant Association of NZ 'The ever-changing regulatory environment has added to the pressure our industry has faced in recent years, and we've appreciated working closely with Ministers to identify how our regulatory environment can be simplified - without sacrificing ... More >> Hospitality Industry Reset Campaign Gathers Momentum With More Than 3500 Signatures In First Week Thursday, 17 June 2021, 6:50 pm | Restaurant Association of NZ In the grips of a staffing crisis, the hospitality industry is making its feelings heard with its petition calling for a reset on the Government's proposed immigration policy reset gathering more than 3500 signatures in under a week. The campaign, nicknamed ... More >> Hospitality Sector's Good Neighbour & Hall of Fame Awards Thursday, 28 September 2017, 8:18 am | Restaurant Association of NZ Hospitality Sector Champions Good Neighbour and Hall of Fame Awards In front of industry peers the Restaurant Association of New Zealand celebrated two of its best and brightest as Auckland's Sir George Fistonich was inducted to the Association's ... More >> Restaurant Association support for Kaikoura hospitality Monday, 21 November 2016, 12:37 pm | Restaurant Association of NZ Auckland, 21 November 2016 – Representatives from the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, the leading industry organisation for restaurants, cafes and other members of the hospitality sector have travelled to Kaikoura today to offer support to local ... More >> Hawke's Bay hospitality awards get national support Monday, 21 September 2015, 4:20 pm | Restaurant Association of NZ Thanks to the Restaurant Association of New Zealand , the Hawke's Bay Hospitality Awards are living on to celebrate excellence among the region's food and beverage merchants. More >> New Strategic Direction for Restaurant Association Monday, 22 December 2014, 4:01 pm | Restaurant Association of NZ New Strategic Direction for Restaurant Association Auckland, 22 December 2014 – The Restaurant Association of New Zealand, the industry organisation for restaurants, cafes and other members of the hospitality sector announced that it is stepping away ... More >> Restaurant Association Announces NZ Culinary Fare Winners Friday, 22 August 2014, 10:05 am | Restaurant Association of NZ Auckland, 22 August 2014 – Six hundred competitors in 60 classes gave their all in three days of competition at the 22nd annual New Zealand Culinary Fare, concluding this week in Auckland. More >> Hall of Fame Inductee and 2014 Good Neighbour Award Winner Tuesday, 19 August 2014, 11:28 am | Restaurant Association of NZ 2014 Hall of Fame Inductee and Good Neighbour Award Recipient Honoured by the Restaurant Association More >> Café and Restaurant Takings Surge Thursday, 19 June 2014, 1:50 pm | Restaurant Association of NZ New Zealand's hospitality sector experienced encouraging growth as rebounding consumer and business confidence played a major part in the (almost) tripling of the sector's annual growth rate1. More >> Show some love and support your local café Monday, 2 September 2013, 4:10 pm | Restaurant Association of NZ Show some love and support your local café Forget local body elections; for food fans the big call this year is on which is New Zealand's best café. But with voting now underway in the 2013 NZ Café of the Year, café lovers need to ensure their ... More >> Hellebrekers Enters Restaurant Association Hall of Fame Wednesday, 21 August 2013, 10:57 am | Restaurant Association of NZ Auckland, 21 August 2103 – The Restaurant Association of New Zealand this evening announced John Hellebrekers as the 2013 inductee into the Association's Hall of Fame, an accolade reserved for those who have made an extensive and on-going commitment ... More >> Outlook for Hospitality Industry Improves Tuesday, 2 July 2013, 9:47 am | Restaurant Association of NZ As New Zealand's economy continues to strengthen, so too does the hospitality industry. The third annual Hospitality Report, the definitive guide to the performance of New Zealand's hospitality industry was released today. Jointly researched by the Restaurant ... More >> The Surcharging Debate Tuesday, 5 February 2013, 10:58 am | Restaurant Association of NZ Auckland, 5 February 2013 - This week restaurant and café operators up and down the country will face a choice as they do on every statutory holiday. Should I open? For many it's not an easy decision, says Restaurant Association of New Zealand ... More >> Café lovers – have your say Monday, 3 September 2012, 3:13 pm | Restaurant Association of NZ Public voting has opened in the inaugural New Zealand Caf é of the Year competition to determine which deserves the title of the country's best. More >> Are You the Next Jamie, Gordon or Heston? Wednesday, 13 June 2012, 2:47 pm | Restaurant Association of NZ Restaurant Association Launches New Nationwide Search for Hospitality's Rising Stars $20k prize package for winner, including mentoring from industry leader Steve Logan The hunt is on to find the country's newest hospitality stars, and the Restaurant ... More >> NZ Culinary Fare Gets Extreme Makeover to Celebrate 20 Years Tuesday, 22 May 2012, 12:41 pm | Restaurant Association of NZ Over three days in August the hospitality sector's best and brightest will battle it out in the heat and steam of kitchens at the 20th annual New Zealand Culinary Fare. More >>
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Tax Changes Positive For Hospo, Kiwisaver Changes Raise Concern
The Restaurant Association is welcoming the Government's Investment Boost tax incentive, announced as part of Budget 2025. 'We have been pushing for changes around tax deductibility for investment in assets — particularly for small businesses — so today's announcement is a positive step,' says Marisa Bidois, CEO of the Restaurant Association. 'So many of our businesses in the hospitality industry are small and micro enterprises, many of whom just need a bit of support to enable them to invest in and grow their business.' 'Investing in something as simple as a new oven, or technology to automate your systems and increase productivity is a game changer for a small business.' 'Being able to write off 20% of the cost of such an asset — on top of normal depreciation — is an excellent step toward supporting our businesses to grow, however the challenge that remains for many in our industry is securing the cash required to make these investments.' The Restaurant Association is also pleased to see that the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality will be responsible for $190 million of revenue from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy in the 2025/26 financial year. 'We supported an increase to the levy, knowing that increased levy revenue would increase the amount that could be invested in growing tourism - which is crucial to supporting our industry' says Marisa. 'With just over $130 million allocated for the promotion of New Zealand to key markets as a visitor and business destination in the coming year, we're keen to ensure that a portion of this is allocated to promoting our national and regional food stories.' 'We know that food and beverage tourism is becoming increasingly popular, and we want to ensure New Zealand makes the most of this opportunity.' The Restaurant Association says members have raised questions about the Government's changes to Kiwisaver. 'So many young people enter the hospitality industry as their first job, we have no doubt that the majority of 16 and 17 year olds who are in work are employed in service industries like ours.' says Marisa. 'While the Government cuts how much it contributes to Kiwisaver, our businesses will be filling that gap by paying a larger contribution — and to more people.' The Restaurant Association will be working through the details of these changes, and other initiatives announced in the Budget, to ensure the hospitality industry is able to continue on a path to recovery.
