The Restaurant Association’s 2026 Election Manifesto outlines the practical policy changes we believe will help hospitality businesses grow, invest and continue strengthening their contribution to Aotearoa’s economy.
Our priorities for the 2026 election
The decisions made by the next Government will have a direct impact on the cost of doing business, access to skilled people and the conditions hospitality businesses need.
The Restaurant Association’s Manifesto sets out the practical policy changes we will be advocating for on behalf of the industry throughout the election campaign and with the next Government.
Hospitality generates more than $16 billion in annual sales, supports over 146,000 jobs and includes more than 20,000 businesses across Aotearoa. We forecast that, with the right policy settings, the industry could grow to more than $21 billion in annual sales and support around 158,000 jobs by 2030.
However, reaching that potential will require policy settings that reflect the realities of running a hospitality business. Operators continue to face tight margins, rising compliance costs, workforce challenges and an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Our manifesto identifies six priorities:
- a strong and consistent partnership between Government and the hospitality industry;
- education, training and immigration settings that support the workforce our industry needs;
- recognition of hospitality as a core part of Aotearoa’s visitor economy;
- simpler, more consistent and more effective hospitality regulation;
- better access to business capability, productivity and innovation support; and
- safer, more vibrant town centres and hospitality precincts.
Turning industry priorities into action
The manifesto builds on progress being made, including through the establishment of a dedicated Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, the 2024 and 2026 Hospitality Summits, the Tourism Policy Statement and the Government’s Hospitality Sector Review.
These developments have created a stronger foundation for industry and Government to work together. Our focus now is on turning that engagement into more practical changes for hospitality businesses.
Our recommendations reflect what members have told us, the priorities identified through our Hospitality Summits and the issues we see affecting businesses every day.
Hospitality has enormous potential to grow its contribution to New Zealand. Together, these recommendations provide a practical blueprint for creating the conditions that will allow hospitality businesses, workers and communities to thrive.
The Restaurant Association’s 2026 Election Manifesto is available to download here.