Latest news
A suitable candidate
Thinking of applying for an alcohol licence? There are some important criteria you’ll need to fulfil – the first being “suitability”, as alcohol licencing lawyer Pervinder Kaur explains…
Heroes from (nearly) zeroes
New Zealand craft breweries are joining the growing non-alcoholic beer movement with new releases from three of our top local names, as Michael Donaldson explains…
On stony soil
Gimblett Gravels is one of New Zealand’s most coveted wine growing sites, and the latest Annual Vintage Selection is a showcase of the district’s strengths, as Joelle Thomson explains...
Brewers Assoc says higher value beer up in lockdown
The Brewers Association says new figures from Statistics New Zealand show a shift to higher value beers during the July to September 2021 period…
Orchard Thieves Rosé Cider goes Gold at brewing ‘Oscars’
DB’s Orchard Thieves Rosé Cider has been named the Gold medal winner in the new Cider Innovation Rosé category at the International Brewing and Cider Awards 2021…
QT Auckland wins Supreme Award at Hospitality Awards
QT Auckland hotel in the Viaduct Harbour has won the Supreme Award at the 2021 Lion Hospitality Awards for Excellence…
Lion acquires U.S. craft brewer Bell’s
Lion has announced its acquisition of Michigan’s Bell’s Brewery, a move that will position the Australasian company as a major player in the U.S. craft beer market…
Good Spirits Hospitality to buy Nourish Group
Good Spirits Hospitality has announced plans to buy Nourish Group, which owns 10 hospitality venues around New Zealand...
Pear cider tops NZ Fruit Wine & Cider Awards
A bottle-fermented pear cider has been named Champion Cider at the New Zealand Fruit Wine & Cider Awards…
Kiwi eateries named in World’s Best Wine Lists 2021
Two New Zealand eateries have been awarded in The World of Fine Wine ‘World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2021’…
Lion Hospo Awards for Excellence go virtual
The 2021 Lion Hospitality Awards for Excellence event will now be held online on 23 November, due to COVID restrictions…
New Managing Director for DB Breweries
DB Breweries has announced the appointment of a new Managing Director, with Matt Wilson to step into the role on January 1, 2022…
NZIWS judging shifts to February 2022
Judging for the New Zealand International Wine Show has been postponed until early February 2022 due to the ongoing COVID restrictions in Auckland and neighbouring regions…
Sign-ups open for Coca-Cola's Designated Driver
Coca-Cola is inviting bars and restaurants across New Zealand to sign up for its Designated Driver programme, which will run from 1 November 2021 to 31 January 2022…
New digital gift card launches for hospo venues
A digital gift card for use in hospitality venues around the country has been launched by Hospitality New Zealand with hopes it will help to boost businesses over summer…
Hospitality NZ keen for more detail on vaccine law
Hospitality NZ is keen to get more detail on the Government’s plan to mandate vaccinations for hospo staff, but says the newly announced measures have addressed some of its concerns…
Record golds at Marlborough Wine Show
Judges at this year’s Marlborough Wine Show have awarded the highest ever number of gold medals at the event and praised the outstanding quality of the 2021 vintage…
Financial boost for COVID-hit hospo
Hospitality New Zealand is welcoming the Government announcement that the Resurgence Payment will double for those hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions…
Winners at NZ Beer Awards 2021 revealed
Burkes Brewing Co. has won the Champion Award for New Zealand’s Best Beer at the Beer Awards 2021…
DramFest returns for 2022
Whisky Galore has announced it will host its 8th biennial whisky festival DramFest in Christchurch in February 2022…

