We are proud to be vocal, impassioned leaders for our sector and we know now, more than ever you need representation to ensure that your voice is heard and so we can seek the best outcomes for the industry.
Since the Level 4 lockdown was announced, some of our advocacy work has included:
- We have been advocating for more targeted economic support for affected businesses as this is the key feedback that we have received from you. We have been in contact with Government regarding the need for more support:
- Including our letters to the Finance Minister and Minister of Tourism
- We are worked with the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, supporting their petition calling for more support through this Level 4 lockdown and beyond which resulted in the Resurgence Payment Support extensions announced last week.
- We met with the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Tourism and Minister of Small Business last week and they have given us the green light to provide further detailed information to them on our proposals. We will be seeking member feedback on this.
- We will be presenting additional feedback on our proposals for targeted assistance to Parliament’s Economic Response Committee next week.
- We’ve been vocal on behalf of the industry, providing feedback and opinion and commenting on the current situation and the impact on members. View some of our recent media coverage here.
- Engaged with MP, David Seymour and MP Helen White, the Finance Minister, Minister of Small Business and the Tourism Minister regarding support for the Association’s proposed ‘Operations lock-out subsidy for employers’ – targeted support for businesses unable to trade or significantly affected by Level 4, 3 & 2.
- The Restaurant Association collaborated on, and is supporting, a proposal by National’s Shadow Treasurer, for rent relief for small businesses through Government assistance with a percentage of rent costs, including compromise with the landlord and assistance to cover overheads.
- There are anomalies across the current alert level guidance and we have been in discussions with many Government departments and representatives since we moved alert levels and have been reaching out to Ministers highlighting our concerns. You can read our letters here to Minister David Clark and MP Todd McClay.
- We have engaged with Auckland Council specifically around relief for Auckland members, including
- Extending outdoor dining and food registration licences for a commensurate period of time that Auckland has spent at heightened alert levels (more than 170 days over the past year and a half).
- Supporting a proposal to enable businesses to have a bigger outdoor footprint, taking over local carparks, or extending their immediate outdoor footprint.
- Fast-tracking new outdoor dining licence applications (from Alert Level 2 onwards).
- Asking Auckland Council to collaborate with the relevant bodies to co-ordinate alcohol licence extensions to reflect the period of time these were not able to be put into use by businesses.
- We have organised member meetings with Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick and with Labour MP, Helen White.
- We meet weekly with officials from each of the various departments including heads of policy.
- We meet with MBIE through the regional leadership group to address the skills shortage (this is an ongoing project but is now focusing on our sector).
- We have restarted our #DineOutTakeOutHelpOut campaign, encouraging the dining public to support hospitality (where they are able by Dining Out, Taking Out and otherwise by Helping Out by purchasing vouchers for future use). This campaign is backed by a marketing and PR campaign.
- We’ve closely monitored Government guidance on the new requirements for operating in a Covid-19 environment – seeking clarification and requesting updates where it is needed. Including clarity over the new 50 person maximum rule for indoor spaces and mask use for our industry. We are in contact with the relevant Government departments on a daily basis, including the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), MSD, MBIE and more.
- Our membership team have been in touch with members to ensure we across your major concerns and worries. Our helpline team are also fielding your calls in this area.