Recently-appointed Tourism Minister Peeni Henare has been in the role for just over two months, and with an industry needing action and leadership, his experience in tourism will be crucial to the industry.
With a history of being the associate minister of tourism since June 2019, Minister Henare has a background in the tourism industry and has appeared at a number of industry events, either alongside former Tourism Minister Stuart Nash or in his stead.
He was also Labour’s tourism spokesperson for one year from 2014.
Inside Tourism spoke to Minister Henare about some of the big issues facing the industry right now.
Three greatest challenges
“Focus on recovery following cyclone and flooding events, ongoing challenges surrounding workforce shortages, and the industry’s role to respond climate change,” says Minister Henare.
“The cyclone recovery is being supported by the government announcing an additional $25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up, taking total business support to more than $50 million. There is a huge uptake in the package, especially in places like Tairawhiti and Hawkes’ Bay.,” he says.
When it comes to the ongoing work around the Industry Transformation Plan, Henare says work will continue to address the systemic issues on workforce and the environment.
“This will support the other work in spaces like immigration which will enable a pipeline of skilled workers not only in Tourism but also other industries.
“We will continue to support communities in implementing their destination management plans, and how our investments support community wellbeing and overall add tourism value.”
Hopes for the next six months
Minister Henare says the industry needs leadership in a world on change and disruption.
“What’s needed in a time of change is leadership. And partnership. Rangatiratanga and kotahitanga (sovereignty and unity).”
He says the industry is preparing for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and the tens of thousands of visitors this is expected to attract.
“This will come with risks and opportunities which we are identifying through our tourism readiness mahi.”
He says the Government will continue to work on the Industry Transformation Plan with industry, Māori, and unions, both on the Better Work and Environment phases.
“The Government continues to support the wider tourism recovery with the upcoming Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery, by supporting regional recovery (e.g. with the Great Rides), and with the upcoming round of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund.”
How tourism has changed
Minister Henare says he thinks it’s “too early to tell” the shape of the industry post-pandemic, but acknowledges the industry has faced hardship since COVID-19.
“Everyone I talk to tells me how they’ve changed,” he says.
“As Minister it’s certainly not my role to give advice to operators – they know better than me where the opportunities are. I want to be focused on where government and industry can come together and give a nudge to those big issues that can make New Zealand more successful and sustainable.”
Staff shortages
Minister Henare says there are a number of government initiatives in play to help support the industry and staff shortage continue to cause stress and concern for operators.
“The Government has started allowing businesses to recruit migrants into several tourism and hospitality roles below the median wage requirement in the Accredited Employer Work Visa, until April 2024,” he says.
“We have also tweaked immigration settings which include extending working holiday visa settings (and doubling the scheme cap) with more than 22,000 working holiday visa arrivals by December 22.
“There is also $2 million of funding for Go with Tourism to support their work, holding career expos, secondary-school engagement programmes across the country, and promoting careers in the industry.”
The Better Work Action Plan and additional options
Inside Tourism asked Minister Henare why the Better Work Action Plan doesn’t seem to factor in those not looking for full-time work in an industry desperate for workers.
“The Better Work Action Plan acknowledges that there are people who prefer to work flexibly, and that this can be one of the attractions of a career in tourism,” he says
“However, the plan also reflects findings from public consultation and a survey of tourism and hospitality workers by the Auckland University of Technology -led that says the instability of tourism work can put people off working in tourism.
“There are initiatives that set out to explore whether these jobs could deliver greater stability while working with the fluctuations in demand from peak tourism seasons to low tourism seasons.”
And his message for operators?
“It is a very different time for our tourism industry, and I wholeheartedly sympathise with the industry that has been dealt with a series of hard knocks,” he says.
“My job is to make sure they are supported while weathering ‘another storm’.
“I made it clear when I received the portfolio that I will be visiting stakeholders to listen and ensuring that they access the right support, and I look forward to sitting down with the industry.”
