Since 1972, the Restaurant Association of New Zealand has been the voice of our hospitality industry. We exist to support, connect, and advocate Aotearoa’s cafés, bars, and restaurants.
Our Story: From humble beginnings to industry leadership
1972
The Restaurant & Cabaret Association is formed by a small group of restaurateurs. The aim: to support and advocate for the hospitality industry.
1998
The Association rebrands as the Restaurant Association of New Zealand. This change reflects its growing national presence and influence.
2006
Launch of the Association’s professional development programme. This programme provides members with valuable training and resources to enhance their skills.
2016
Introduction of the Hospo Start training programme. This is a programme to help employers find staff. The training equips newcomers with the foundational knowledge needed for a successful career in hospitality.
2020
The Association win the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Industry Supporter NZ Food Heroes Award at the NZ Food Awards. This award recognises the Association’s support to the industry during COVID-19.
2022 & 2023
CEO, Marisa Bidois, is honoured in the Top 50 Most Influential & Inspiring Women in Food & Drink. These Awards recognise her leadership and impact on the industry.
2023
The Association wins a Silver Award at the PRINZ Awards for the campaign “Advocating for Change: Elevating the Hospitality Industry through Government Partnership”. This Awards highlights the Association’s successful advocacy efforts.
Additionally the Association is a finalist in the marketing awards for the ‘Cooking Up a Storm’ campaign.
Present Day
The Restaurant Association proudly represents over 2,500 members nationwide. The Association’s head office team grows to over 20 dedicated professionals, continuing to champion the interests of New Zealand’s hospitality industry.
Our Mission
Good food is one thing. Good business is something else.
Our mission is to be the link between good food and good business so that your business can find greatness. We’re here to help restaurants do better business. Restaurant Association members are in every part of the country. We’re passionate about our vibrant industry, which is full of interesting passionate, talented and entrepreneurial people. People just like you.
Our Values
 | Service First Hospitality is at our heart: we exist for our members through fostering meaningful connections. We are dedicated to serving, supporting, and elevating our members to success, while having fun along the way. |
 | Innovation In our strive for success we are committed to finding innovative solutions, continuously improving, and shaping the future for our organisation, our members, and the hospitality industry through teamwork and collaboration. |
 | Respect We champion a culture of respect, inclusivity, and open communication. We support the well-being and development of our diverse teams and members to create a vibrant and supportive community, where every voice is heard and valued. |
 | Integrity Committed to doing what’s right, prioritizing trustworthiness in all interactions, and operating with honesty, openness, and accountability in every aspect for our people, members, and industry. |
 | Results We are committed to delivering results that exceed expectations, ensuring that every project is completed on time with a focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and dedication. |
Our people
In an industry full of such passionate, creative people, we wouldn’t get very far if we didn’t have some of our own.
Here’s how we help restaurants and hospitality businesses do better business.
As the voice of New Zealand’s hospitality industry, the Restaurant Association provides vital support to restaurants and cafés and other hospitality businesses across the country. We offer guidance on compliance and legislation, expert advice on business and employment challenges, and resources to help operators navigate a complex and ever-changing industry. Through training programmes, advocacy, and industry insights, we empower our members to make informed decisions, grow their businesses, and thrive in the vibrant world of hospitality. Learn more about the ways we support the industry on our Why Join page.
