Client: Hospitality New Zealand
Hospitality New Zealand needed support to engage with government, hospitality businesses and industry groups, to help it come up with policy initiatives that would catalyse growth in the sector. We helped by researching policy initiatives, consulting with business owners and industry groups through a survey, and organising the inaugural Hospitality Summit at Parliament Buildings in Wellington on 12 December 2024. This event provided a platform for businesses and groups from within the sector to engage directly with each other and government representatives, facilitating dialogue and collaboration.
We supported the design and launch of the survey, which was conducted with members of the Restaurant Association, Hospitality New Zealand, and the wider hospitality sector. The survey invited participants to share their insights, experiences, and opinions on various aspects of the sector. The feedback collected directly informed the recommendations we helped draft that were presented at the Summit. This initiative represented a significant opportunity for industry professionals to contribute to tangible change and to the strategic direction of New Zealand’s hospitality industry.
The report generated from the survey data identified a range of opportunities grouped into eight categories, including improving the use of data, immigration policy, interactions with local government, easing the burden of compliance, employment issues, alcohol policy, skills and training opportunities, and connections to tourism policy and funding.
Overall, this project represented the first phase of co-designing a roadmap for change within the hospitality sector. By providing an opportunity for stakeholders from the sector to meet and collaborate, we helped Hospitality New Zealand and the Restaurant Association develop a comprehensive set of draft recommendations for the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality. These recommendations aimed to shape future policy-making and ensure the continued growth and success of New Zealand’s hospitality industry.
