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Hospitality Roles To Be Added To Under Supply List 

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Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is currently using Ministry of Social Development (MSD) undersupply and oversupply lists as their basis to determine if New Zealanders are available for jobs for certain occupations.

We are pleased to hear that from 1 December, some hospitality and tourism occupations will be added to the Queenstown area undersupply list (Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Kingston, Glenorchy, Hawea and Wakatipu). This will allow more employers to support a work visa application for roles paid below the median wage.

This means that if you are trying to fill a position that is on the undersupply list, you will not need to get a Skills Match Report, even if the job is paid below the New Zealand median wage.

The following hospitality occupations have been added to the undersupply list for the area covered by the Queenstown Lakes District Council:

  • 351311 – Executive Chef, Head Chefs, Sous Chefs, Chef de Partie, Commis Chef
  • 351411 – Cook
  • 431111/ 431511 – Restaurant supervisor
  • 431511 – Waiter
  • 431111 – Bartender
  • 431112 – Barista
  • 851299 – Butchery assistant
  • 851211 – Bakery assistant
  • 851299 – Food trades assistant
  • 851111 – Fast food cook
  • 851311 – Kitchenhand

Employers will still need to advertise their vacancies and demonstrate they have made genuine attempts to attract and recruit suitable New Zealanders.

The updated Queenstown area undersupply list will be used in INZ’s assessment of Essential Skills work visa applications which are paid below the median wage from 1 December 2020 regardless of the date the application was submitted. 

More information on Immigration New Zealand’s under / over supply lists.

Introducing the new Hospitality Workers Support service – Tautoko Hāpai Ō

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This week we launch a new worker support service named Tautoko Hāpai Ō.

The new service will ensure hospitality workers are able to access support, the latest resources and employment opportunities.

It also aims to ensure those who are displaced, can get sector-specific guidance to help them reattach to employment within hospitality.

We believe that it’s vitally important that workers within the hospitality sector, including apprentices and casual workers, don’t get left behind during the tail-end impact of COVID-19. During COVID-19 lockdown, we received a surge in calls from workers and non-members needing urgent assistance which put a huge strain on our resources.

Our organization has been working with business owners for 25 years but we’ve never before been able to offer assistance to non-members who are employed within the industry. We know how important it is to be able to support all of those working within the industry so we’re really pleased to be able to extend the reach of our services

Tautoko Hāpai Ō establishes support for hospitality workers via an online resource portal including region-based job opportunity boards through Facebook along with a displaced apprenticeship redeployment scheme.

Ten job boards have been set up for regions around the country via Facebook connecting business owners with job opportunities with respective recruits.

The online portal offers resources including how to build a stand out cv along with employment advice.

The new service has been made possible with funding from the COVID-19 Workers and Workplaces Assistance Fund.

For more information on Tautoko Hāpai Ō click here.

Navigating the new normal with Westpac

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As we adjust to new ways of working and reaching our customers and suppliers, Restaurant Association New Zealand’s long-term supporters at Westpac talk about what they saw with businesses wanting to go online during lockdown and some things to think about if you’re considering e-commerce for the first time.


View Westpac’s wide range of thought leadership articles here


Support for business customers.

Westpac knows every one of their business customers will be going through something different right now. To help support their customers, Westpac have several options available including Business Support Loans, temporary overdrafts, and loan deferrals.   [Find out more]


Mentemia mental wellbeing platform.

Westpac is proud to be supporting Sir John Kirwan to offer his Mentemia mental wellbeing platform to all Kiwis. Through the Mentemia app or website you can discover a broad collection of practical wellbeing tips and informative articles.   [Find out more]


The “Navigating the new normal” content is intended for information purposes only and you should use your own judgement regarding how such information should be applied in your own business. Westpac makes no warranty or representation, express or implied, regarding the accuracy of any information, statement or advice contained in this document.  We recommend you seek independent legal, financial and/or tax advice before acting or relying on any of the information in this email.  All opinions, statements and analysis expressed are based on information current at the time of writing from sources, which Westpac believes to be authentic, and reliable. Westpac issues no invitation to anyone to rely on this material.   Eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, fees and charges apply to Westpac products and services. See westpac.co.nz for details.  For full details of applicable fees refer to our Transaction and Service Fees brochure (available free of charge online at westpac.co.nz/business/business-resource-centre/resources/fees/ and from any Westpac branch).  Nothing in this email is intended to be a recommendation or opinion in relation to any of the products listed.

Privacy Act 2020 comes into force on Dec 1st

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The Privacy Act 2020 creates a new requirement to report serious privacy breaches, as from 1 December 2020. We will have an in depth article on this coming out in our upcoming issue of Savour. In the meantime, Employers need to consider:

  • Doing an audit of how “personal information” is managed
  • How is this being managed by third parties?
  • Where are the risks?
  • Developing, or reviewing procedures to keep information and data protected; both physically and electronically
  • Developing clear procedures on how to detect, report and investigate potential data breaches. In particular, ensuring that your organisation has a plan in place to meet new reporting obligations without delay
  • Agencies (employers) must notify the Privacy Commissioner “as soon as practicable” after they become aware that a notifiable privacy breach has occurred. They must also notify any affected individuals
  • Ensuring there are clear internal lines of communication, so that all personnel know who they can talk to within your organisation about privacy issues.

The Pivacy Act 2020 Website contains excellent information and even e-learning modules to help guide you on what you need to know

Government announce an extension to COVID-19 Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme

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The Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme has been extended with new details and requirements

• Currently no interest is charged if the loan is repaid within one year. This will be increased to two years.
• Currently the loan can only be used for core operating costs. This will be broadened so that the loan can be used, for example, on capital expenditure.

In addition applications for the loan can now be made until 31 December 2023, an extension of three years.

Organisations and small to medium businesses, including sole traders and the self-employed, may be eligible for a one-off loan with a term of 5 years if they have been adversely affected by COVID-19.

The Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme (SBCS) was introduced to support businesses and organisations struggling because of loss of actual or predicted revenue as a result of COVID-19.

• It is for businesses with 50 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees.
• They must have been in business on 1 April 2020 and have experienced a 30%decline in revenue as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
• The maximum amount that can be borrowed is $10,000 plus $1,800 per full-time-equivalent employee and only one amount can be drawn down.
• The loan period is for five years and interest rate is 3% from the date of the loan being provided.

Find more information here

Covid-19 November community cases – update

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The recent news that there were two community cases in New Zealand was another blow for the country and our industry.

One community case, in Auckland (Case D) has now been confirmed through genome sequencing to be linked to a previous case, known as Case A, the Defence worker who was infected at a quarantine hotel.

As a result of a link between the two case being established, all of New Zealand remains at Alert Level 1 and Auckland’s CBD will re-open.

Auckland businesses will be aware that the Government asked people who work in central Auckland to work from home on Friday 13th November if possible and this has a significant impact on our Auckland central businesses. Those that do have to work are recommended to wear masks and practice physical distancing. This means that any staff working on Friday 13th November in Auckland CBD businesses should be wearing masks and it would be advisable to consider reconfiguring your layout if possible to help maintain physical distancing requirements (almost like operating under a Level 2 layout).

While the Government has indicated people can return to the Auckland CBD, they are asking all New Zealanders to act with caution to reduce the risk of spread.

Feedback is that the majority of member businesses in the Auckland CBD are still open at this stage. We have prepared some guidance (below) on managing your teams. Many have indicated that while bookings are massively reduced for Friday, bookings are not too affected for Saturday night.

We’d like to let you know that we have priority Helpline assistance available for any of our Auckland Central member businesses calling today for support around this latest development. This support includes, employment advice, specialised PR / media assistance, legal advice, cleaning recommendations and more. 

The latest cases demonstrate just how important it is that we continue to follow the guidelines for displaying QR posters, contact tracing and hygiene standards. Our industry is just about to move into its busiest period so a change of alert levels would be a bitter pill to swallow just as we are getting back on our feet again. But we are now very well prepared and our businesses know what they need to do to continue to operate safely and sustainably.

We will continue to update if there are further developments, however some key links and resources that you may find useful to familiarise yourself with include:

Hospitality Hub – the place where we hold all of our Covid-19 related advice, updates and information

COVID – 19 Media Survival Kit – to provide guidance to help you communicate with customers and the media if you are involved in a COVID-19 outbreak. 

Guidance for dealing with a probable or confirmed Covid-19 case in the workplace – to help you prepare for this situation, covering advice on management for customers or staff that may have covid-19

Deep cleaning your premises following a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19

Updated COVID-19 Resources for CBD/Central Auckland businesses – Letter re temporarily closing the business and Letter re temporary variation of hours and Draft communications for your employees re CBD emergency

We are here to support and advocate for our members. If any of you need to talk to any of our team, call 0800 737 827. 

A reminder that the Covid-19 Leave Support Scheme is available to help you pay sick staff

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It’s important people are encouraged to stay home and not go to work if they are unwell, with the new Covid-19 case in Auckland a reminder to everyone that we need to follow all measures to stop the spread of the virus. If an employee has COVID-like symptoms, they should stay home and get tested.

The Covid-19 Leave Support Scheme is available for employees who are told by a health official to self-isolate and who cannot work from home. The scheme helps employers to pay workers who’ve been told to self-isolate.

What health criteria must workers meet?

This payment is for workers who can’t work from home and:

  • are sick with COVID-19 and must self-isolate for a period, or
  • are identified as someone who has or may have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 and must self-isolate for a period, eg:
    • a close contact who has been told to self-isolate by a health official through the contact tracing process
    • someone with COVID-like symptoms who meets the Ministry of Health’s Higher Index of Suspicion criteria and has been told to self-isolate by a doctor
    • casual contacts who have been told to self-isolate by a health official through the contact tracing process, or
  • are the parent or caregiver of a dependant who has been told to self-isolate for a period and the dependant needs support to do so safely, or
  • are sick with COVID-like symptoms and work in a health and disability or aged-care facility or service and need to self-isolate while awaiting a test or test result (note there are other criteria the employer will need to meet), or
  • are considered ‘higher risk’ if they contract COVID-19 and a doctor has told them to self-isolate while there’s active community transmission, or
  • have household members who are considered ‘higher risk’ if they contract COVID-19 and a doctor has told them to self-isolate while there is active community transmission.

Who decides if a worker needs to self-isolate?

The worker must have been told to self-isolate by a health official, such as:

  • a Medical Officer of Health or their delegate (eg a DHB Public Health Unit)
  • a medical practitioner, for example, a doctor (GP)
  • a health official through the Ministry of Health’s National Contact Tracing process
  • their employer (for healthcare, disability or aged-care workers) following best practice guidance from the Ministry of Health.

What the Leave Support Scheme provides

Leave Support is for businesses to help pay workers (including self-employed) told to self-isolate because of COVID-19. It’s paid as a lump sum and covers two weeks per eligible employee at the rates of:

  • $585.80 for each employee working 20 hours or more per week
  • $350 foreach employee working less than 20 hours per week.

You can keep re-applying for the same employee as long as you meet the criteria and the payment is available.

Am I eligible?

To receive Leave Support payments, your business must:

  • be registered (except sole-traders) and operating in New Zealand
  • employ people legally working in New Zealand.

What are my obligations?

You must pay your employees in line with their employment agreement and your obligations to employment legislation remain. You must pass on all of the Leave Support you apply for to those workers.

How do I find out more?

Visit the Work and Income website https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/leave-support-scheme/index.html

Other support?

If your employee doesn’t qualify for COVID Leave Support, there may be other assistance we can provide. Check here to find out more.

Update from the Ministry of Health on new Community Cases

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On 12th November, 2020 we received an update from the Ministry of Health on new Community Cases, a press release is below.

The latest community cases demonstrate just how important it is that we continue to follow the guidelines for contact tracing and hygiene standards.

Our industry is just about to move into its busiest period so a change of alert levels would be a bitter pill to swallow just as we are getting back on our feet again. But we are now very well prepared and our businesses know what they need to do to continue to operate safely and sustainably.

COVID-19 Related Resources:

Hospitality Hub

COVID – 19 Media Survival Kit

Guidance for dealing with a probable or confirmed Covid-19 case in the workplace

Cleaning your premises following a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19

COVID-19 Resources

Ministry of Health update at 6:00pm 12 November

Auckland Case Updates

Auckland Regional Public Health Service has this afternoon conducted a detailed interview with the case announced today at 1pm in the community in Auckland.

We now know that this person’s role at A-Z Collection is in a customer facing role, as a shop assistant.

This person became symptomatic on 9 November, was tested on 10 November, was asked to isolate, then went to work on 11 November.

We now know that this case called in sick to work after receiving the advice to isolate, but after a conversation with their manager went to work and wore a mask.

A-Z Collection is closed today and is undergoing a deep clean.

Whole genome sequencing will also allow us to compare the genome of this case to that of other recent cases we have sequenced to help us determine the source of this latest infection.

The swab from this case has been received by ESR and will be processed overnight for whole genome sequencing. We have successfully sequenced 1,084 genomes to date, which includes 169 from MIQ facilities.

Close contacts include a colleague of the case, and two friends. They all report being well. The two friends are being transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility as a precaution. One of the friends lives alone in the Vincent Residences, the same as the case.

All residents of the Vincent Residences have been asked to go home and stay home while testing takes place. Health authorities are working closely with the body corporate, and a cleaning company is going in today to do a deep clean of the common areas of the apartment building – including stairwells, lifts, and the lobby.

All common areas in the apartment building will be closed. A mobile testing station will be on site tonight for residents of Vincent Residences.

Today’s case also took a number of Ubers to work. The drivers are being contacted by ARPHS. The Uber trips were very short but because they were are in close confinement, we are asking them to get a test and isolate.

Following interviews with today’s case, we are in the process of confirming a number of locations of interest that the person visited while possibly infectious.

These include:

Sat 7 November3.50 pm – 6 pm


6 pm – 8.30 pm
Smith and Caughey’s
Department Store, Queen St

Red Pig Restaurant, Kitchener St
Sun 8 November11.30 am to 11.45 amTakeaways from Starbucks Queen St and from Sunnytown Restaurant, Lorne St
6.40 pm – 6.50 pmTakeaways from The Gateau House, 332 Queen St
Monday 9 November11.31am – 11.40 amTakeaways from Starbucks Queen St and from Sunnytown Restaurant, Lorne St

Anyone who was dining at the Red Pig Restaurant on Saturday night will need to be tested and to go into self-isolation until they receive a negative test result.

Anyone at Smith and Caughey’s, Starbucks, Sunnytown and The Gateau House at these times should watch for symptoms and get tested if they feel unwell, staying in self-isolation until they receive a negative test.

This afternoon around 2pm we have issued push notifications through NZ COVID Tracer for A-Z Collection and the Vincent Residences. NZ COVID Tracer app users who scanned into either location during the relevant timeframes will receive a contact alert advising them to isolate and call Healthline to arrange a test. It is too early to report the number of app users who will have received contact alerts, as the console we use for app analytics is not configured for real-time reporting. Anyone who was at these places around these times should isolate, get tested, and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.

Pop-up testing is available today in Auckland, including at the Ellen Melville Centre on Freyberg Place, and a testing site at Victoria Park Community Testing Centre. There is also pop-up testing available tomorrow at Quay Park Health Centre at 68 Beach Road, and at the Wynyard Quarter Carpark Community Testing Centre on Madden Street. A full list of testing sites in Auckland is available on the Auckland Regional Public Health Service website.

Anyone in the Auckland area, indeed throughout New Zealand, who has cold or flu symptoms should get a test and stay at home until you have a negative test result.

Out of an abundance of caution, we are asking people who work in downtown Auckland to work from home tomorrow where possible. If you must go into this area, please use masks and social distancing while health authorities continue work to trace the source of this infection.


Ministry of Health update 2:00 pm November 12


There are three new cases of COVID-19 to report in New Zealand today.
One case was detected in a recent returnee in a managed isolation facility.
They arrived on 9 November from Los Angeles. They returned a positive test around day 3 of their stay in managed isolation and have been moved to the Auckland quarantine facility.

There are two new cases in the community.

One of these is connected to the November quarantine cluster. Case C is a close contact of Case B and tested positive on 11 November.

Case C met Case B for lunch in Wellington on The Terrace on Friday afternoon. On developing symptoms on Saturday they self-isolated at home and had a COVID-19 test.

Although initially returning a negative result on day 3, they were moved to quarantine at the Grand Mercure in Wellington as a precaution on Tuesday. A second test yesterday resulted in a positive result.

Push notifications were sent out on Sunday for the restaurant on The Terrace, visited by Case B and Case C.  Anyone who visited the restaurant between 1pm and 4pm on Friday should have a test if they feel symptomatic.

Household contacts for Case C are in isolation and have returned negative results.

All identified close contacts of the new case are isolating.

All close contacts of Case B, other than Case C, have returned a negative test result.

Auckland community case

Today we are also reporting a community case in Auckland for which we continue to investigate the source of transmission.

The person became symptomatic on Monday 9 November. They were tested late on 10 November. They went to work at A – Z Collection on High Street from Sunday 8 November to Wednesday 11 November.

Their positive test was confirmed this morning, 12 November. They are being moved to the Auckland quarantine facility today.

This is another very important reminder that if you are unwell with cold symptoms, you should get a test and stay at home until you have a negative test result.

Auckland Regional Public Health is interviewing the case today to identify close and casual contacts, and to further understand their movements during the period they may have been infectious, which we currently believe to have been around Saturday 7 November.

The person lives alone and appears to have had limited community outings recently. For instance, they have not visited a supermarket during the period they might have been infectious. The person is a student at AUT, however they have not been to any lectures or classes on campus since mid-October. There is no concern with any potential exposures on campus.

At this time, as highly precautionary step we are asking people who may have visited A-Z Collections store on High St and the Vincent Residences at 106 Vincent Street between Saturday 7 November and today 12 November to isolate and get advice on being tested promptly even if asymptomatic, and stay isolated until you receive the results.

As always anyone in the Auckland area who has cold or flu symptoms should get a test and stay at home until you have a negative test result.

There are details on the Auckland Regional Public Health website around current testing sites, and these will be further updated this afternoon.

Additional locations of interest will be identified and notified to the public as soon as possible, including any locations in the central city area where the case lives and works.

Auckland health officials are also working to provide additional testing in this central city area.  The location of that additional testing will be available later today.

We are urgently working to trace this person’s movements over the past week to determine how they became infected.  Genome testing of this case is also underway to help us understand any potential links to previous cases.  

At this stage the Ministry is not advising of any need to change the current approach.  

We will also be providing a further update on this case later this afternoon, likely at approximately 5pm.

Anyone concerned about today’s news can ring Healthline’s dedicated number 0800 358 5453 for advice.

NZ COVID Tracer

There are now 2,349,900 registered users of the NZ COVID Tracer app.

Poster scans have reached 112,469,275 and there have been 4,667, 638 manual diary entries.

These recent cases have once again re-emphasised the importance of keeping track of your movements.

It’s important we all scan the QR codes wherever we see them, so we can be notified when we may have been exposed to COVID-19 and to help contact tracers stay one step ahead of the virus.


Letter to Minister of Immigration – re next steps for the hospitality sector

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11 November 2020

To: Hon Kris Faafoi – Minister of Immigration

Tēnā koe Minister

Next steps for the hospitality sector

Firstly, I would like to congratulate you on your success in this year’s General Election and your reappointment to the Immigration portfolio. I look forward to continuing to work with you over the coming term to help drive the hospitality sectors recovery – your support will be vital in this.

As you will know, not long after you took over the portfolio, I wrote to you relaying a number of matters regarding the Government’s immigration settings that were causing issues within our industry, as well as provide first hand Member feedback on how the decisions of Immigration New Zealand (INZ) were impacting the pace of the sector’s recovery.

Since this letter, my concerns have not abated. In many ways, the sheer volume of correspondence we have received from Members in the past month, points to what I can only describe as systemic responsiveness issues within INZ and an inability to be pragmatic in the current operating context.

If COVID-19 has made one thing abundantly clear, it is that a one size fits all approach by INZ does not meet the unique needs of our sector.

As a matter of urgency, I would like to meet with you to discuss the following matters:

  • the dire need for skilled hospitality workers
  • immigration settings for migrant workers
  • response times of INZ
  • the phantom New Zealand hospitality worker.

The dire need for skilled hospitality workers

Our sector has suffered significant losses as a result of the restrictions put in place to protect New Zealanders from COVID-19 – some long term establishments have shut their doors permanently due to the financial pressure caused by the restrictions.

For those remaining, they now head into the busiest quarter of the year, many with unsustainably low staffing levels. Operators are desperate for skilled workers but there are none.

“I don’t believe that the Government or Immigration NZ realise the difficulties we still have finding SKILLED workers for the hospitality industry. There are so many jobs being advertised at restaurants in the region, and from what I’m hearing, no-one is getting many decent applicants.” ​- Member, November 2020

The Association takes this issue very seriously and we have been working in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD)’s Regional Commissioner in Auckland, Mark Goldsmith, to create interim training solutions for entry level positions. However the lack of skilled workers extends beyond entry level roles, and is an issue faced nationwide.

Immigration settings for migrant workers

Connected to the lack of skilled hospitality workers, is the immigration settings. While we appreciate the current settings are in place to protect New Zealanders, we request the Government begin reconsidering the parameters. Not being able to access skilled labour continues to have a far reaching impact on our sector’s ability to recover. Many of the visas that have been extended due to COVID-19 will expire across January to March next year. This will only add to the pressure around recruitment as businesses are faced with losing these vital workers from their businesses. In addition, INZ has added some of our key skills (such as waiter, cook and cafe worker) to the Oversupply list without sufficient research into what is happening on the ground.

We are calling for considered, pragmatic changes to our immigration settings to allow skilled labour to return to our shores. Response times of INZ Appreciating our robust relationship with many INZ officials, many Members have asked us to relay their experiences with you – a snapshot of this feedback is set out below.

“I have been waiting since Dec 20 for a Restaurant Manager visa with still no answer from Immigration… it is ridiculous!”​ – Member, November 2020

We are also receiving feedback from suppliers and those working in other parts of the supply chain, that they too are having difficulty recruiting operational staff. The general consensus among Members is that there is a view that our businesses do not want to employ New Zealanders, despite this not being the case – Kiwis are not turning out for roles.

I am extremely proud of how our sector has held itself during what can only be described as the most significant challenge of recent times. However, we know we cannot rebuild alone: closer collaboration with the Government will be crucial to ensure we rebuild and replenish the hospitality sector following the pandemic. Amending immigration policy to support the hospitality industry’s recovery was a priority area in our 2020 Election Manifesto. I have attached a copy of our Manifesto for ease of reference. I believe that these issues will only get worse as time goes on, and welcome the opportunity to meet with you at the earliest possible opportunity and start discussions on charting a new course for the hospitality sector within the national economy over the longer term.

Ngā mihi nui,

Marisa Bidois
Tāhūhū Rangapū (Chief Executive)
Restaurant Association of New Zealand

Restaurant Association Resilience Award Winners

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Celebrating the many people and businesses that have stepped up and shown steely determination as we navigated our way through COVID-19.

Wellington

Outstanding community spirit is Kapura. Jamie, Will and the Kapura team transformed the business to produce frozen meals and packs. The team worked with The Ministry of Social Development to deliver over 200,000 meals and 35,000 grocery boxes to 9000 Wellingtonians in need, all at cost price. The Kapura team also started a lockdown legends website where members of the public could nominate someone in the community doing great work to receive a free main meal at any of the Kapura sites.

Outstanding local hospo hero went to Jackie Lee Morrison who spearheaded a hospitality collective, the Pandemic Pack, to offer a combined delivery service during Levels 3 and 2 of the NZ COVID-19 alert system.

Outstanding Innovation went to At Yours by Visa Wellington On a Plate who created an online directory of food and beverage services offering contactless delivery, click and collect, and/or takeaway during Alert Level 3 of the Covid-19 lockdown. The site was put together in record time, designed to be up and running as soon as the country moved to Alert Level 3.

Christchurch

Outstanding innovation went to the developers of Riverside Market, Kris Inglis, Mike Percasky and Richard Peebles. Tenants at Riverside Market and Riverside Retail Lanes in the central city were offered rent relief across March, April and May in an effort to help them keep their doors open. They also introduced Market Box – containing fresh food, meat, vegetables, fish and other raw ingredients that could be ordered online and delivered to customers’ doors

Outstanding community spirit went to The Vagabond Chef for their community focused offering post level 4 lock down. The team contributed regular donations of resources and food to Christchurch City Mission and Kidscan to help those most at need in the community.

Popular local street food eatery Smokey T’s picked up the people’s choice award. Owner Tristan Anderson was also awarded the outstanding local hero prize for his dedication to the local hospitality scene and going above and beyond for the community.

Canterbury Hospitality Awards acknowledge excellence in the region!

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Cellar Door picks up four awards including supreme establishment of the year, while Smokey T’s takes out People’s Choice

Industry recognises outstanding COVID innovation with award for Riverside Market owners Kris Inglis, Mike Percasky and Richard Peebles

The Canterbury hospitality industry acknowledged the outstanding abilities of its own with the announcement of the winners at the Canterbury Hospitality Awards ceremony held last night.

With lead partners Trents Wholesale and RA Lexis ComplyHub, the awards acknowledge the outstanding hospitality professionals, all of whom are making a positive impact on the local café, dining and drinking scene.

Set in the beautiful south quad of the Christchurch Arts Centre, Cellar Door picks up four awards including outstanding new venue and supreme establishment of the year.

Popular local street food eatery Smokey T’s picked up the people’s choice award. Owner Tristan Anderson was also awarded the outstanding local hero prize for his dedication to the local hospitality scene and going above and beyond for the community. The local hero award is one of three new categories introduced this year in recognition for the people and businesses that have stepped up and showed steely determination as we navigated our way through COVID-19.

Winning the award for outstanding innovation are the developers of Riverside Market, Kris Inglis, Mike Percasky and Richard Peebles. Tenants at Riverside Market and Riverside Retail Lanes in the central city were offered rent relief across March, April and May in an effort to help them keep their doors open. They also introduced Market Box – containing fresh food, meat, vegetables, fish and other raw ingredients that could be ordered online and delivered to customers’ doors along with a cloud kitchen concept containing up to 20 commercial kitchens for small businesses needing extra cooking space.

Outstanding community spirit went to The Vagabond Chef for their community focused offering post level 4 lock down. The team contributed regular donations of resources and food to Christchurch City Mission and Kidscan to help those most at need in the community.

Cantabrians looking for an exceptional dining experience can be assured of it this year with Simon Levy of elegant city centre eatery Inati awarded the accolade of outstanding chef. Manchester street eatery Child Sister picked up the award for outstanding café for its distinctive fit-out, first class coffee, and a menu full of classics with Korean twists.

Great service did not go unrecognised with Amy Harrison-Wright of Akaroa hidden gem, Ma Maison picking up the award for outstanding maitre’d, while Twenty Seven Steps took out the outstanding front of house team.

Those looking for a great place to get a drink also won’t be disappointed with the region’s top notch bars recognised.

Charles Guillotine Gillet of the Last Word took out the award for outstanding bartender while O.G.B won outstanding bar.

The hard-working Christchurch hospitality industry deserve recognition more than most. They have been at the forefront of the redesign of the city and to have COVID hit them just as they were finding their stride is testament to their incredible creativity and resilience. It has never been more important for diners to get out and try the fantastic array of local dining spots so we hope these awards inspire Cantabrians to support their locals.

The winners were announced at a sell-out awards ceremony held at Addington Raceway & Events on Monday 2nd November 2020.


Meadow Fresh Outstanding Barista
Fumihiko Takai, Espresso Studio by Fushoken

Coca Cola Amatil Outstanding Bartender
Charles Guillotine Gillet, The Last Word

Ara Institute of Canterbury Emerging Front of House William Chase, INATI

Tevalis Outstanding Front of House Team
Twenty Seven Steps

posBoss Outstanding Maitre’d
Amy Harrison-Wright, Ma Maison Akaroa

Southern Hospitality Emerging Chef
Jimmy Whitefield, The Monday Room

Service Foods Outstanding Chef
Simon Levy, INATI

McCarthy Design Outstanding Street Food/Casual Dining
Smokey T’s

Bidfood Outstanding Café
Child Sister

The Wine Writer Outstanding Wine & Beverage List
Alfred

Negociants Outstanding Wine Experience
Cellar Door

Coca Cola Amatil Outstanding Bar
O.G.B Bar & Cocktail Bar

Menulog Outstanding New Venue/Establishment
Cellar Door

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Boss burnout: Spot warning signs in yourself

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BY THE MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION | WWW.MENTALHEALTH.ORG.NZ

From workloads to wellbeing, the COVID-19 pandemic poses many challenges. As a small business owner or manager, it’s important to keep an eye on your stress levels.

This article by the Mental Health Foundation talks about learning to spot warning signs and pick up tips to improve your wellbeing. Your health and happiness — and your business — will benefit.

The stress of uncertain times

No matter how COVID-19 has affected your business, good and bad, it poses a mental wellbeing challenge. Operating in uncertain times is stressful — even if you relish change and new ways of doing things.

For many, there’s the added financial stress of reduced or uncertain earnings. And some business people face cutting jobs or closing altogether. This takes an emotional toll, and takes away social connections forged at work.

“We’ve had to change the way we do things. COVID-19 has challenged our sense of how the world works, how our careers go, how our relationships go,” says Lisa Ducat, workplace wellbeing specialist at Mental Health Foundation.

“It’s been a full-on impact on the three areas that keep us well: feeling good, functioning well, feeling connected to others.”

Business impact 

When it comes to wellbeing checks, you might be focused on your staff and loved ones outside work. But it’s equally important to check on yourself.

It’s common for small business owners to wear many hats, to juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities, to work long hours. Even if you’re used to doing this and doing it well, it’s harder in uncertain times. Even before the pandemic hit, 80% of business owners reported feeling isolated in a survey by Business Mentors New Zealand. All this adds to stress.

“Business owners are used to seeking business-orientated support. You get support to keep business going,” says Ducat. “Remember you are the business. Your health and wellbeing are your business’s biggest resource.”

On a scale from minor impact to major, most people will be somewhere in the middle, says Ducat. Most will benefit from “psychological first aid” to ease stress before it escalates to burnout. This might mean adding exercise or fresh air to your day, problem-solving with others, or connecting with people you care about. If you are suffering from extreme stress, seek professional help.

Ducat recommends making space to reflect. And she warns against “toxic positivity” — feeling forced to only talk about the positive and resisting negative or difficult experiences.

“Our feelings are our feelings. They give you important information,” says Ducat. “Ignoring feelings you don’t like may hinder problem solving. Toxic positivity will also stop others from feeling safe talking to you about what they are struggling with.”

Instead, consider the pros and cons of what you’re going through. “This might be saying to yourself ‘yes it’s difficult AND I’m upset AND I got through it’,” says Ducat.

“It’s a balancing act. Knowing it’s awful. Knowing we have limited control.

Recognising you managed to shift your business operations and lifestyle at short notice. Thinking about new possibilities now life isn’t going how you thought it would.”

Signs of stress 

Warning signs may include:

  • changes to sleeping patterns
  • hard to make decisions
  • feeling impatient or grumpy
  • losing confidence
  • losing interest in loved ones or in your work, favourite pastimes, or in people you care about
  • indigestion or stomach pain.

Are you experiencing any of those warning signs now? Or have you noticed warning signs recently? If yes — or if you think it’s possible — it’s time to take steps to ease stress and prevent burnout.

The Mental Health Foundation defines burnout as exhaustion (emotional and physical) + cynicism + reduced sense of accomplishment (low morale, self-esteem, lower coping ability).

How to help yourself 

Tips 

Learn the signs of stress. Think about when you notice stress in yourself — what are your personal warning signs?

What helps ease your stress? If you’re not sure where to start, try these suggestions:

  • Give yourself permission to not be at your best.
  • Be kind to yourself, as well as to others.
  • Involve others in problem solving. Talk to your team, other business owners, a mentor.
  • Look after your physical health, get sleep, and eat well. Your mind can’t work well if the engine runs on empty. Feel like you don’t have a spare minute for even a walk around the block? Try a walking meeting.
  • Take notice of small things each day that make you feel good. Try and make time to do more of these things.

“Don’t think of one huge problem. Break it down. If you can solve one of these problems, that will help reduce your stress,” says Ducat. Recognise the small goals you achieve, rather than focusing on the next one you haven’t started.

Coping under pressure 

  • Don’t try to do everything yourself.
  • Avoid toxic positivity. It’s unrealistic and unhelpful to pretend everything is fine.
  • Don’t tell yourself or others to just relax. It won’t work — and might even make you feel more tense.
  • Beware trying to “fix” yourself or others. It’s OK to sometimes feel frustrated or angry. Use these feelings as a wellbeing barometer. If they start to build up, it’s a sign to ease pressure on yourself.

“Just step back and go ‘I am angry’ or ‘I am upset’,” says Ducat. “And then think about how you can positively deal with those feelings.” 

Resources that can help