Covid-19 Restaurant Association mobilisation

Our mobilisation following Covid-19 has included:

Minister briefings – we are have been in continual contact with Government, frequently meeting with Ministers, MP’s and Government officials to voice our industry’s challenges and inform at the highest levels of the Government.
Steering group representation – through representation on several key steering groups, including the MSD Business Leaders Group, we are helping to advise on the industry’s needs.
Epidemic Response Committee – in April, CEO, Marisa Bidois, presented to Parliament’s Epidemic Response Committee, outlining the current issues facing the sector, calling for immediate financial assistance and providing recommendations for the government to adopt in the coming weeks.
Lobbying – the Restaurant Association has been vocal, calling for support for hospitality businesses devastatingly affected by Covid-19.

Our key messages have included:

A call for Government to provide relief for business in the form of a business continuity package.
Advocating for food businesses to be able to continue to operate in Level 4 for contactless food delivery to help with the overloaded essential services provided by the supermarkets
Urgent action requested on leases and rent relief for small businesses
Temporary variation to alcohol licences request, to allow businesses with on-licences to have off-licence sales with food delivery
Call to cap third party delivery party commission rates.

Media coverage – we have been speaking to the media every day on the needs and challenges of our industry. Since February the Restaurant Association has appeared in over 450 articles and news items.
CEO, Marisa Bidois has conducted more than 100 interviews for radio and TV and has also featured on facebook and Instagram live sessions.

The Restaurant Association Hospitality Recovery taskforce brings together leaders in the industry to help formulate a direct response to the current crisis, helping to rebuild a strong and resilient industry.

Legal and business advice – the Restaurant Association’s 24 hour/7-day helpline has undoubtedly been the biggest source of ongoing hospitality-specific support in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing an increase in demand of up to 500% in some periods of the emergency. Additional Restaurant Association membership services include legal support, human resources, payroll, business mentoring and marketing advice.
Access to on-the-ground support – to ensure our member businesses who indicated they were struggling, could get in-house support as soon as possible we increased the mobilisation of our ground support staff – initially on the road, but through remote assistance once lockdown started.
Emergency memberships – the Association instigated the roll-out of emergency Restaurant Association memberships for member businesses that are severely impacted by COVID-19.

Covid-19 survey series – since February, the Restaurant Association has been gauging industry sentiment and the challenges members are facing through our series of Covid-19 member surveys. These surveys provide a direction from the industry, helping us to identify the industry’s immediate needs and the development of new resources and support material. Member feedback also provides us with clear direction in our discussions with the media and the Government, strengthening our ability to advocate for the best outcomes for our members.
Regional MeetMe / member briefings have been held throughout the lockdown as an opportunity for the industry to connect with others, discuss the regional challenges and help to plan for the future.

Lockdown online training academy – over the lockdown period and into Level 3 and 2, the Restaurant Association has been offering free online learning. We have featured both local and international experts from the industry.
Leveling up your Service – this 2 week online training series included topics like dealing with tricky customers, service training basics, maintaining calm in a busy section and wine list secrets from a Sommelier, through to creating an excellent guest experience.
Covid-19 webinar updates – our weekly Covid-19 Updates provide essential information on the current operating environment with guest speakers from MSD, Immigration NZ, IRD, MBIE, MPI, Mental Health Foundation and the Restaurant Association’s helpline.

Covid-19 support package – a dedicated online resource bringing together key information for members, the Covid-19 support package has essential up-to-date guidance on navigating through Covid-19.
Member resources – over 40 new resources – essential guides, signs and templates to help members to manage their businesses and their employees throughout this time, located here.
Daily e-updates – provided throughout the Covid-19 emergency, daily Covid-19 member e-updates keep members informed.
Operating guidelines – the Worksafe–endorsed Restaurant Association Operating guidelines for Hospitality businesses at Level 3, were created through collaboration with key industry stakeholders and Government agencies.
FaQ’s – an online portal houses weekly FaQ’s in topic areas that include, the wage subsidy, tax, immigration, rent / landlord discussions, employment and more.

#DineoutTakeout campaign – launched at Level 3 for #takeoutnz, and continuing into Level 2, the #DineoutTakeoutnz marketing campaign encourages the public to eat local and continue to support their local hospitality businesses. Go to www.dineouttakeout.co.nz for more information.
Dinefind – relaunched during lockdown, this dining directory website, www.dinefind.co.nz, exclusively promotes member businesses.

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