The Hospitality New Zealand Conference and Trade Show, HNZ25, opened at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 10, welcoming operators, suppliers, and industry leaders from across the country for two days of kōrero, connection and practical insight.
Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Steve Armitage opened HNZ25 by acknowledging the pressures facing the hospitality and accommodation sectors, and highlighting the value of events like HNZ25 in bringing the industry together as a collective.
Growth In Productivity
“Quite naturally, we feel the decisions that lead to a business shutting up shop. And yet, if we dig beneath the headlines, there are new venues opening every week up and down the country. As we drive the industry forward, collaboration is crucial to seeing the sector thrive into the future.”
Economist Shamubeel Eaqub delivered a keynote presentation on the state of the economy, and busted hospitality myths, noting that hospitality is not dying with the number of hospitality businesses continuing to grow and “the reality is more nuanced than the media is portraying.”
He also noted that hospitality’s productivity is on par with other industries in Aotearoa, with hospitality showing a faster growth in productivity over the last decade than total productivity growth, and that Kiwis don’t hate tourism, with nearly 75% of Kiwis welcoming the tourism industry. He went on to describe how demand is hibernating. In the meantime, businesses should focus on what they can do to prepare themselves for the return in demand.
Government Support
Hon Louise Upston, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, then took the stage to outline the government’s approach to sector support, reiterating a commitment to working in partnership with industry to support the implementation of the Hospitality Summit report, stating, “Hospitality has always been a powerhouse of New Zealand.”
Hon Nicole McKee, Associate Minister of Justice, also delivered a timely address, speaking to the impacts of compliance on hospitality, and specifically, the licensing regime governed by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, saying “Smart regulatory changes can make it easier to do business.”
Sector Reconnecting
The afternoon programme focused on breakout sessions offering practical tools for improving business performance, from workforce planning to marketing to compliance. Throughout the day, delegates experienced the HNZ25 Tradeshow, sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, showcasing a wide range of suppliers and service providers, from tech platforms and equipment specialists to beverage distributors and sustainability innovators.
Says Steve Armitage, “It’s been pleasing to see delegates connecting and reconnecting with each other, and our speakers continuously reinforce the importance of hospitality, both to the economy and to communities. We know how much potential this industry holds, and we look forward to an inspiring programme on Day 2 and celebrating the sector across our two awards evenings.”
Today’s conference programme (June 11) includes a focus on building culture and the future of work. HNZ25 is held in conjunction with the 2025 Lion Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence, celebrated over two evenings, with the People’s Awards for Excellence, sponsored by DB, held June 10, and the black-tie Business Awards for Excellence, sponsored by Lion, tonight..
