Hospitality industry leaders and Government representatives have gathered at Parliament this week for the 2026 Hospitality Summit to work together on solutions that will strengthen the future of the sector.
The Summit, hosted by Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Hon Louise Upston, in conjunction
with Hospitality New Zealand (Hospitality NZ) and the Restaurant Association of New Zealand
(Restaurant Association), was held at Parliament buildings in Wellington yesterday – Thursday,
12 March 2026 – with more than 70 industry stakeholders and government officials in
attendance.
The Summit is the second of its kind. The inaugural Hospitality Summit, held in December 2024,
laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration between the industry and government, and
provided an opportunity for the hospitality sector to help shape future government policies.
Priority areas for the hospitality industry were discussed and a comprehensive list of
recommendations were developed, covering data, immigration, licensing and compliance,
through to alcohol policy, employment, skills and training and the interaction between hospitality
and tourism.
This year’s focus was to take a look at the recommendations put forward at the last summit,
refresh and refine them and add any new priority areas the industry would like to see
improvements in.
Some of the key areas the hospitality representatives identified included licensing & compliance,
hospitality data and employment issues.
Speaking at the Summit, Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Hon. Louise Upston, acknowledged
the hard work and dedication of those in the industry and thanked them for their collaboration.
Minister Upston says: “The hospitality industry is vital to New Zealand and brings significant
vibrancy and value to New Zealand and, while distinct from tourism, also plays a key role in how
visitors experience our cities and towns. Hospitality plays a crucial role in our economy and
employment with 193,000 people directly employed in hospitality across New Zealand.
“It was a pleasure to host the industry at Parliament this week and make meaningful strides to
set hospitality up for success into the future. It is encouraging to see the industry working
together in such a collaborative way and I look forward to receiving the final recommendations
report.”
Hospitality NZ Chief Executive, Kristy Phillips says the Hospitality Summit provides a significant
opportunity for the hospitality industry. “The Summit provides a platform for open dialogue between government officials and industry stakeholders to address challenges our sector is facing and discuss ways in which change can be made so hospitality can thrive, not just now, but in generations to come.
“It’s been great to problem-solve together and create actionable steps that will strengthen the
future of the sector.” Restaurant Association General Manager, Nicola Waldren says: “Working collaboratively with Government and Hospitality NZ to address the critical challenges facing our sector is crucial to its success.
“It’s excellent to have everyone in the room together, finding ways to build momentum and
create meaningful impact for the hospitality industry.”
A recommendations report will be released in coming months, reflecting the discussions at
Summit and providing some clear next steps for supporting the industry.
More information:
- Partnership driving hospitality momentum – Hon. Louise Upston