Hospitality sector review completed, Government to cut red tape for businesses
The New Zealand government is launching a regulatory review to reduce red tape for the hospitality sector. Officials aim to simplify licensing and compliance processes to help businesses recover from post-pandemic economic challenges.
Why it matters
Reducing bureaucratic hurdles is a key policy focus for the current government to stimulate economic growth and prevent further business closures in the hospitality industry.
The Government says it is slashing red tape for hospitality businesses to help operators survive, after years of tough trading conditions.
This morning’s announcement by Regulation Minister David Seymour and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston followed the Ministry for Regulation’s review of the hospitality sector.
Seymour said the announcement was about “getting rid of dumb rules” which contributed to businesses closing their doors.
“Everybody has a favourite cafe, bar or restaurant they wish was still open.
“If we are going to unlock New Zealand’s potential, we need to let Kiwi businesses get on with business.”
Seymour said the sector was “hit hard” by the Covid pandemic and the “dumb rules” made it harder to bounce back.
The review heard from a food truck business that considered setting up in Australia because the process in New Zealand was so bureaucratic.
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