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Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA) has welcomed the release of the Ministry for Regulation’s Hospitality Review, saying the report identifies many of the same issues that hotel operators and the wider hospitality sector have been raising for years.
HCA strategic director James Doolan says the review’s focus on reducing unnecessary duplication, streamlining licensing processes, improving regulatory transparency and adopting more risk-based approaches was encouraging.
“This review recognises that many hospitality businesses spend too much time navigating complex and fragmented regulatory processes that add cost without necessarily improving outcomes.”
“Some of the most promising recommendations focus on making compliance simpler, faster and more proportionate, particularly for operators with strong compliance records.”
HCA noted the review’s recommendations around alcohol licensing reform, simplified renewals, nationally consistent systems and improved transparency of regulatory performance.
“Hotel operators have consistently highlighted the challenges created by different systems, processes and expectations across multiple jurisdictions. The review’s emphasis on consistency, better information systems and reducing duplication is a positive step.”
James says there had been a high degree of alignment across the hospitality sector throughout the review process.
“We acknowledge the significant advocacy and policy work undertaken by Hospitality New Zealand and Restaurant Association New Zealand throughout this review. While our members represent different parts of the hospitality ecosystem, there has been strong alignment across the sector on the need for more efficient, proportionate and practical regulation.”
“That alignment should give Ministers confidence that many of the recommendations reflect genuine operational challenges being experienced by hospitality businesses across New Zealand.”
HCA says that the review recommendations are not yet government policy and that decisions on implementation will be made by Ministers over coming months.
“As always, effective implementation is critical. The opportunity now is to translate good recommendations into practical improvements that reduce costs, increase certainty and allow hospitality businesses to focus on serving customers and growing their businesses.”
“HCA looks forward to continuing to work constructively with Ministers, officials and fellow industry organisations as the next stage of this work progresses.”
