Hospitality regulations go under the spotlight
Hospitality New Zealand (Hospitality NZ) and the Restaurant Association have welcomed the Government’s announcement that the hospitality industry will be the focus of the next Ministry of Regulation industry review.
Minister of Regulation, Hon David Seymour, and Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Hon Louise Upston announced that the review would focus on regulations that apply to restaurants, bars, cafes, food stalls at markets, food trucks, catering businesses and hotels.
“New Zealand’s hospitality industry has been facing many challenges and complex rules and unnecessary regulations are making it even more difficult for one of our biggest earning industries to reach its full potential,” said Louise Upston.
“This review will improve hospitality rules so they’re working as they should – cutting red tape, keeping costs down, managing risks, and making compliance easier. We need to give our business owners the best chance at success.”
Hospitality NZ Interim Chief Executive, Nick Keene, said, “We’re pleased to see recognition of the significant regulatory and compliance pressures on the hospitality sector, and the complicated nature of the legislation that governs how we operate.
“We know that across our respective memberships, the rules and regulations operators face place a strain on investment and employment decisions, and the ability to grow the sector as a whole.”
Restaurant Association Chief Executive, Marisa Bidois, said, “This regulatory review is something we’ve been jointly asking for since the 2024 Hospitality Summit, and it’s pleasing to see our voice has been heard.
“We have a unique opportunity to support a comprehensive look at the red tape holding our industry back, and expect a strong set of recommendations that will support hospitality’s growth into the future.”
Minister Upston is encouraging those with a “red tape issue” to share their experiences.
The review is expected to take six months and will report back to responsible Ministers with recommendations.
W: Find out more at regulation.govt.nz/regulatory-reviews/hospitality-sector-review/
