NZ Tourism Minister Welcomes New Hospitality Report to Boost Sector Success

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston is welcoming an industry report outlining practical steps to support the long-term success of New Zealand's hospitality sector.

Our hospitality sector plays a vital role in New Zealand's economy – it supports jobs, local communities and the experiences of domestic and international visitors across the country, Louise Upston says.

I am pleased to see that the report acknowledges the progress that has already been made since the inaugural Hospitality Summit in 2024. Many of the recommendations are either completed or progressing through work by the Government and industry.

The report, Hospitality Summit Report: Serving Success 2026 Revision, was prepared by Hospitality New Zealand and the Restaurant Association of New Zealand.

The Government has worked closely with the sector over recent years – that includes through the Hospitality Regulatory Review, the introduction of the Michelin Guide, the Tourism Policy Statement, and various initiatives to strengthen New Zealand's tourism and hospitality offering.

The Hospitality Summit has become an important forum for bringing government and industry together to discuss challenges, opportunities and practical ways to strengthen the sector.

As several of the recommendations highlight, hospitality issues often span multiple portfolios and agencies. That is why I will develop a Hospitality Action Plan to provide a coordinated framework for priority hospitality initiatives across government.

The Hospitality Action Plan will help bring together work already underway, consider relevant recommendations from this report and the upcoming regulatory review, and improve visibility and coordination across the government's hospitality programme.

I intend to continue working in partnership with the sector to remove barriers to growth, support businesses and workers, and ensure hospitality can thrive as part of a growing New Zealand economy.

I thank Hospitality New Zealand and the Restaurant Association for their leadership and the significant work that has gone into this report. I look forward to continuing our collaboration as we develop the Hospitality Action Plan and progress initiatives that support the future of the sector.

Notes to editor: The 2026 Hospitality Summit was hosted by Hospitality New Zealand and the Restaurant Association of New Zealand and brought together industry leaders and government representatives to discuss opportunities for the sector.

The report contains 48 recommendations across five subject areas: employment and immigration, alcohol policy, tourism and hospitality, data and regulatory compliance, and skills and training. The recommendations were developed through engagement with hospitality businesses, industry leaders and government agencies.

The Government is developing a Hospitality Action Plan to provide a coordinated framework for priority hospitality initiatives across Government. The Action Plan is intended to consider relevant recommendations from the report alongside other Government work programmes.