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Hospitality New Zealand (HNZ) has welcomed this week’s announcements that the Government has accepted further recommendations from the Ministry for Regulation’s Hospitality Sector Review.
This week’s announcements actioned recommendations related to improving food safety regulations, noise controls and the provision of courtesy vans.
Kristy Phillips, Hospitality NZ chief executive, says “We have been clear for a number of years about the pressures and challenges hospitality businesses face when interacting with the regulatory system.
“Today’s announcement to make food safety rules within the hospitality sector proportionate to the actual risk of an issue arising supports businesses by right-sizing the amount of time and compliance costs that will go into maintaining their food safety verification.
“Creating a simpler, hospitality-specific Food Control Plan, including reducing record-keeping requirements, supports the day-to-day operation of hospitality businesses, while extending verification periods for high-performing businesses rewards those who have consistently performed well.
“We would also expect improving fee-setting arrangements at a local government level will reduce compliance costs for operators.
“Proper food safety management is important for food businesses and consumers, and today’s changes enable businesses to focus on the practical management of food safety rather than record keeping and compliance processes says Kristy.
“We acknowledge the work to date improving food safety processes by the Ministry for Primary Industries, and to see further endorsement via the review of the importance of these improvements.
“Yesterday, we were pleased to see that the government will change regulations so hospitality businesses that offer drop-off services for their guests will not be stung by fees by triggering passenger service requirements.
“We want to be able to see everyone get home safely and more venues will likely be able to offer a courtesy transport system.
“We are also supportive of the steps being taken to improve the standardisation of noise controls across the country.”
Noise complaints related to inner city and late-night venues have been increasing, and sometimes come from neighbours who have moved into the area after a venue has already been established. This results in warnings and confiscations of sound equipment by councils, and extends to requirements for sound proofing of buildings, early closure of outdoor areas and ultimately lost business.
Kristy says “As part of the Hospitality Summit Report, we have called for an introduction of reverse sensitivity clauses for residential developments in nightlife precincts. Reverse sensitivity clauses would protect venues operating in built up urban entertainment areas.
“We hope the new planning system announced today will address some of the inconsistency we have been seeing across the regulatory system and allow inner-city venues to provide their guests with experiences that will add to the vibrancy of cities and support the night-time economy.”
“We are pleased to see the Ministry for Regulation’s Hospitality Sector Review move toward implementation so quickly, and we look forward to working with the Government as next steps progress.”
