Hospitality New Zealand

• Business/Trading Name: Hospitality New Zealand Incorporated (trading as Hospitality New Zealand). Formerly known as Hospitality Association of New Zealand (HANZ) until 2013.

• Company Number: 597260 (NZ Companies Office registration number for the incorporated society).

• NZBN: 9429042644767 (New Zealand Business Number).

• Entity Type: Incorporated Society (non-profit industry association).

• Business Classification: Industry trade association for hospitality and accommodation sector (ANZSIC code: falls under Accommodation and Food Services, representing hospitality businesses).

• Industry Category: Hospitality and Tourism – includes restaurants, cafés, bars, nightclubs, pubs, hotels, motels, and other commercial accommodation.

• Year Founded: 1902. (Originally established as the United Licensed Victuallers Association in 1902; renamed Hotel Association of New Zealand in 1958, became Hospitality Association of NZ in 1995, and rebranded as Hospitality New Zealand in 2011.)

• Addresses: Registered Office: Level 2, Orbit Systems House, 94 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6012, New Zealand. Postal: PO Box 503, Wellington 6140. (This Wellington office has been used since 2015. The organisation also maintains 18 local branch offices nationwide, aligned with its regional branch structure.)

• Website URL: https://www.hospitality.org.nz/ – Official site of Hospitality New Zealand.

• LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hospitality-new-zealand – (Hospitality New Zealand’s LinkedIn page).

• Company Hub NZ URL: Profile not publicly accessible. (CompanyHub lists Hospitality NZ as ultimate parent of certain companies but requires login. BizDB Profile: https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429042644767/ provides public registration info.)

• NZ Companies Office URL:

https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/1559547?backurl=H4sIAAAAAAAAAC2LQQrCMBBFb5Nt1bZKFoO4ctNFQS8wZIZasJM0MxF6%2B4bi7r%2FH%2B03CibUJcUkoc13KmMPnvkRiUEMhzORsSwwsNltN3Aq%2Bu%2FhT25%2BvnW9vDumHEphGFP6C5cLuaLd3vSk8huHPL0Mr%2BsyxpEPvulrZAX0AAAA%3D (Incorporated Societies Register)

• Social Media URLs:

Facebook – facebook.com/HospitalityNZ ; X (Twitter) – twitter.com/HospitalityNZL ;

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hospitalitynz/?hl=en (often used for industry updates);

YouTube – youtube.com/user/HospitalityNZ (minor presence).

• Ultimate Holding Company: None. Hospitality NZ Inc. is a member-owned incorporated society with no parent entity. (It is itself the top entity; in fact, Hospitality NZ is the ultimate holding body for a couple of subsidiary companies – e.g. Accommodation Association New Zealand Limited and Hospo NZ Limited, which it owns 100%.)

• Key Shareholders: Not applicable. As an incorporated society it has no shareholders – it is collectively “owned” by its fee-paying members (approx. 2,500–3,000 member businesses). (The society’s “stakeholders” are its members. Hospitality NZ does hold 100% of shares in certain entities, effectively making Hospitality NZ the sole shareholder of those companies.)

• Leadership: National President: Nick Keene (elected National Board President). Chief Executive: Steve Armitage (appointed 2023). The National Board is chaired by the President (Keene) and composed of elected industry representatives. Recent past Presidents include Jeremy Smith (2018–2020) and Clare Davies (2016–2018). Chief Executive Officer: Steve Armitage, former Auckland tourism executive (ex-ATEED GM), succeeded Julie White in late 2023. (Julie White was CEO 2019–2023, Vicki Lee CEO ~2015–2019, and long-time Chief Executive Bruce Robertson led from 1995–2015.) The senior management team (“National Service Centre”) includes heads of Advocacy (Sam MacKinnon), Operations (Lee Brown), Membership (Darelle Jenkins), Finance (Rab Morton), etc.

• Staff: Approximately 20+ staff in the National Office and regional roles. The organisation reports having a team of 7 Regional Managers across NZ and a Wellington-based National Office staff (including specialists in advocacy, legal, training, communications, etc.). Total staff count in recent years is around a few dozen, including regional branch support. (Staff are employees of the society; their profiles indicate deep industry experience but are not publicly listed in full beyond key roles.)

• Staff with Previous Government Roles: Steve Armitage (CEO) – former General Manager at Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED), a public-sector economic development agency. He also worked as a government policy strategist (advising Ministers on tourism and other portfolios). Other staff have predominantly private sector or industry backgrounds, though some have worked in quasi-public roles (e.g. Sam MacKinnon, Head of Advocacy, previously worked at BusinessNZ and Wellington Chamber of Commerce in policy roles ). No known former MPs or Ministers on staff.

• Past Employees: Bruce Robertson – Chief Executive 1995–2015, credited with expanding the organisation from a small pubs-focused group to a broad industry body. Vicki Lee – CEO ~2015–2018, oversaw the rebranding and initial merger with motel sector (she was CEO when the national president changed in 2016). Julie White – CEO 2019–2023, led the industry through COVID-19 but had a turbulent tenure ; she resigned in 2023 to take another role. Adam Cunningham – National President 2010–2016 (oversaw governance during significant growth). Many past board members are long-time industry figures (e.g. past President Jeremy Smith, and life member John McHugh who served 11 years on the board).

• Clients: Not applicable (membership organisation). Hospitality NZ’s “clients” are its member businesses. It represents ~2,500–3,000 member outlets nationwide, ranging from small cafés and bars to large hotel chains. (Members pay fees for services and advocacy; key membership segments include restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, hotels, motels, backpackers, wineries/cellar doors, casinos, catering venues, and licensed clubs.)

• Industries/Sectors Represented: The hospitality industry in broad terms. This includes: Food and beverage service (restaurants, cafés, bars, taverns, nightclubs, catering, clubs), Licensed liquor retail (pubs, bottle stores/off-licences), and Commercial accommodation (hotels, motels, lodges, backpacker hostels, holiday parks). It also covers entertainment venues and hospitality-adjacent services (e.g. hospitality in casinos or sports clubs). In essence, Hospitality NZ is “the singular voice representing every segment of New Zealand’s hospitality sector”.

• Publicly Disclosed Engagements: Hospitality NZ frequently engages with government, though New Zealand lacks a formal lobbying register. Known interactions include: Meetings with Ministers – e.g. CEO Julie White met with Finance Minister Grant Robertson in Sept 2021 to request targeted industry support ; in early 2023 the organisation held a “very positive” introductory meeting with Hon. Louise Upston, the new Minister for Hospitality and Tourism. Parliamentary submissions – e.g. testimony to select committees on alcohol law reforms (HNZ actively appeared in hearings on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol bill), and submissions on employment law (opposing certain provisions of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill). Parliamentary Hospitality Summit 2024 – HNZ co-organised an inaugural industry summit at Parliament in Dec 2024, involving 80 hospitality leaders and government officials to “map a path forward” for the sector. The organisation also regularly meets with MBIE officials and other agencies on immigration settings, training, and COVID-19 rules (some of these are noted in press releases but not comprehensively disclosed).

• Affiliations: Hospitality NZ is a member of the BusinessNZ Affiliated Industries Group (AIG) – an umbrella network of industry associations coordinated by BusinessNZ (HNZ is listed as an AIG member). It is also a member of the Local Government Business Forum, a coalition of business groups engaging on local council policies. HNZ maintains close advocacy partnerships with the Restaurant Association of NZ (RANZ) – the two bodies often coordinate on common issues (e.g. joint lobbying on immigration and training) and signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding in 2024 to collaborate more closely. HNZ is part of various government and industry forums: it was on the Tourism Industry COVID-19 recovery group and works alongside Tourism Industry Aotearoa on tourism policy (though not formally merged). Internationally, HNZ is loosely affiliated with Hospitality International networks and keeps contact with counterpart bodies in Australia.

• Sponsorships / Collaborations: The organisation has corporate partnerships for events and programmes. Notably, Lion NZ (brewery) is a major sponsor – it partners on the annual Lion Hospitality NZ Awards for Excellence (Lion has naming rights to HNZ’s national hospitality awards). In 2024, HNZ teamed up with Lion to expand the “Healthy Hospo” initiative, a health and wellbeing programme for hospitality workers. HNZ also partnered with the Restaurant Association and tech firm Helmet in 2024 to champion a mental health support platform for hospitality staff. Other collaborations: Kiwi Access Card – HNZ worked with government (Office for Disability Issues) and NZ Post to launch the Kiwi Access Card in 2019 as a nationwide 18+ photo ID card replacing the old HANZ 18+ card. HNZ is known to work with tertiary institutes on hospitality training and has alliances with service providers (e.g. it endorses certain insurance and technology partners for member discounts).

• Events: Hospitality NZ hosts an Annual Conference (branded e.g. HNZ25 Conference for 2025) where members, industry leaders and politicians convene. It organises the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence – the longest-running national hospitality awards program, celebrating venues and industry people (held yearly, often alongside the conference). In 2024 it launched the Top 50 Gastropubs Awards in partnership with an international sponsor (Estrella Damm), highlighting gastropub operators. HNZ also coordinated the “Hospitality Summit” at Parliament in December 2024, a special event bringing together industry and MPs to discuss a sector growth roadmap. Regionally, HNZ branches hold local events (meetings, networking functions, seminars) and some local hospitality awards. During COVID-19, HNZ ran webinars and virtual forums for members. It also supports the annual Hospitality Summit & Tradeshow (a joint event with RANZ and others) and participates in Fine Food New Zealand expo and other trade events.

• Political Donations: No public record of direct political donations by the organisation. As a not-for-profit industry body, Hospitality NZ itself generally does not donate to political parties or candidates (and none are disclosed in NZ Electoral Commission records). The organisation exerts influence via advocacy rather than contributions. (It’s worth noting individual members or regional hospitality groups have sometimes supported local election candidates, but Hospitality NZ Inc. does not appear in major donor lists.)

• Controversies: Hospitality NZ has been involved in debates raising transparency and conflict of interest concerns. Lobbying Transparency: The group has lobbied extensively against certain regulations (e.g. alcohol licensing reforms, wage increases) without being subject to any official lobbying register, which integrity advocates cite as a transparency gap. Its opposition to stricter alcohol laws drew criticism from public health groups – in 2023 HNZ was criticised for fighting a law change that would empower communities on liquor licensing, prioritising industry profits over harm reduction. COVID-19 Response Stances: During the pandemic, HNZ’s aggressive push to ease trading restrictions and its calls to end lockdowns as soon as possible were seen by some as putting business ahead of public health (HNZ’s CEO famously complained that health officials were “100% running the show” in lockdown, implying neglect of economic input ). Fair Pay Agreements: Unions voiced skepticism about HNZ leading the employer side of Fair Pay Agreement talks – given HNZ’s mandate to minimise cost impacts, there were questions whether it would truly seek a “fair” outcome for low-paid workers. Integrity Issues: HNZ’s close relationship with BusinessNZ drew controversy in late 2020 when it emerged BusinessNZ and affiliated groups (representing employers like HNZ) influenced the design of the COVID wage subsidy in behind-closed-doors meetings. No allegations of illegal conduct have surfaced, but critics say HNZ benefits from “high-trust” government dealings that lack public scrutiny. “Integrity-washing”: The Integrity Institute has flagged HNZ’s public commitments to “sustainability” and “wellbeing” as potentially at odds with some lobbying practices (e.g. quietly pushing back on alcohol harm measures while promoting responsibility messaging). In summary, controversies mainly center on advocacy tactics and conflicts between industry interests and public interests, rather than internal scandals.

• Other Information of Note: Hospitality NZ has undergone significant structural changes in the past decade. In 2015 it merged with the Motel Association of NZ (MANZ), integrating ~800 accommodation operators into HNZ. This created a dedicated Accommodation sector within HNZ (with its own advisory council). However, not all accommodation providers stayed – a separate Accommodation Association of NZ (AANZ) launched in 2020, indicating some large hotels chose a different representation for their interests. HNZ issues the Kiwi Access Card, a widely accepted 18+ photo ID card, which replaced its old 18+ Card in 2019 with government support. The organisation’s long history (over 120 years) is notable – it started as a publicans’ lobby in the early 1900s and has archives of involvement in licensing law changes through the decades. HNZ is a registered charity for tax purposes (despite being an industry lobby, its not-for-profit status and vocational training role qualify it for certain tax exemptions). It received media attention for commissioning economic reports (e.g. an Infometrics report in 2022 highlighting hospitality’s GDP and employment footprint) to bolster its advocacy. Membership overlap: Many hospitality businesses are members of both HNZ and the Restaurant Association, and HNZ’s partnership MOU with RANZ in 2024 aims to reduce duplication and present a united front on common issues.

• Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Yes. Hospitality New Zealand itself applied for and received COVID-19 Wage Subsidy support for its staff during the 2020–2021 lockdown periods (as its revenue from membership and events fell). The vast majority of hospitality businesses in NZ drew on the wage subsidy (over 70% of all NZ businesses did), and Hospitality NZ was no exception. (The exact amount HNZ claimed is not separately published, but its CEO acknowledged the organisation relied on wage subsidies to retain staff when income plunged in 2020. Many member businesses also used the scheme, which HNZ staunchly advocated for.) HNZ additionally received the COVID Resurgence Support Payments and small business support grants to get through the pandemic. All wage subsidy use was within the rules, with no known repayments requested from HNZ.

Sources

[1] Hospitality New Zealand Incorporated – business information, BizDB (NZ), https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429042644767/

[2] Clare Davies appointed National President of Hospitality NZ (2016), Hospitality Business Magazine, https://www.hospitalitybusiness.co.nz/new-national-president-hospitality-new-zealand/

[3] Jeremy Smith elected Hospitality NZ national president (2018), Tourism Ticker, https://www.tourismticker.com/hospitality-retail/ (see 4 Oct 2018 news item)

[4] Bruce Robertson led Hospitality NZ for 20 years (1995–2015), ServiceIQ 2019 Annual Report (pg 1, Chairman’s Report), ServiceIQ, https://www.serviceiq.org.nz/assets/Attachments/Corporate-documents/03_ServiceIQ-Annual-Report-2019-JUN20-FINAL.pdf#page=3

[5] “We are a membership organisation… serving our 2,500 members”, Hospitality NZ (About Us), https://hospitality.org.nz/ (Home page text)

[6] About Hospitality New Zealand – Submission excerpt (2022), NZ Treasury (Productivity Commission Inquiry), https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2024-05/pc-inq-is-dr-139-hospitality-new-zealand.pdf (pp.1-2)

[7] Our History: established 1902… rebranded 2011, Hospitality NZ – About Us, https://hospitality.org.nz/about-us#tab-44 (History section)

[8] Wellington Office address (Level 2, 94 Dixon St) and registration details, BizDB, https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429042644767/ (Addresses & dates)

[9] Nick Keene – National President (contact info), Hospitality NZ (Our People), https://hospitality.org.nz/about-us/our-people (National Board section)

[10] Steve Armitage appointed as Hospitality NZ Chief Executive, Scoop News (Media Release, 15 Feb 2023), https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2302/S00181.htm

[11] Steve Armitage background – ex-ATEED GM (2013–2021), Hospitality NZ media release via Scoop, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2302/S00181.htm

[12] Sam MacKinnon profile – former roles at BusinessNZ & Wellington Chamber, Hospitality NZ (Our People), (archived snippet), CompanyHub NZ, https://www.companyhub.nz (search “Sam MacKinnon”)

[13] Hospitality NZ membership ~3,000 businesses (cafés, bars, accommodation, etc), NZ Treasury – Hospitality NZ submission (2022), https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2024-05/pc-inq-is-dr-139-hospitality-new-zealand.pdf (pg.1, para 1)

[14] Hospitality NZ structure – regional managers, national office, Board, Accommodation Advisory Council, NZ Treasury submission (2022), https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2024-05/pc-inq-is-dr-139-hospitality-new-zealand.pdf (pg.1, paras 2-4)

[15] HNZ merged with Motel Association in 2015 (formalised in Nelson), Hotel Magazine NZ (merger archives), https://hotelmagazine.co.nz (search “Hospitality NZ Motel Association merger”)

[16] New accommodation association (AANZ) launched 2020 after HNZ merger, Tourism Ticker (Dec 1, 2020), https://www.tourismticker.com/2020/12/01/second-accommodation-association-launches/

[17] Kiwi Access Card launched 14 Jan 2019 by Hospitality NZ (replaces 18+ Card), Office for Disability Issues / Whaikaha (NZ Govt), https://www.whaikaha.govt.nz/news/news/kiwi-access-card-launched-by-hospitality-nz

[18] Carmel Sepuloni quote on Kiwi Access Card benefits, Office for Disability Issues – News, https://www.whaikaha.govt.nz/news/news/kiwi-access-card-launched-by-hospitality-nz

[19] BusinessNZ Affiliated Industries Group members (HNZ listed), BusinessNZ, https://businessnz.org.nz/major-companies-group/aig/ (member list)

[20] “Hospitality New Zealand is a member of both BusinessNZ and the Local Government Business Forum”, Hospitality NZ submission on Future of Local Govt (2021), Hospitality NZ, https://www.hospitality.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Hospitality-NZ-Submission-on-Future-of-Local-Government.pdf (para 13)

[21] Hospitality NZ & Restaurant Association sign collaboration MOU (Dec 2024), Tourism Ticker (13 Dec 2024), https://www.tourismticker.com (see “Hospitality NZ, Restaurant Association sign MOU” article)

[22] Hospitality NZ teams up with Lion on Healthy Hospo programme, Tourism Ticker (5 Dec 2024), https://www.tourismticker.com (see “Hospitality NZ backs Lion’s Healthy Hospo programme”)

[23] HNZ, Restaurant Association and Helmet partnership for mental health (2024), Scoop News (Press Release, 2 Aug 2024), https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2408/S00040.htm

[24] Hospitality Summit at Parliament (80 industry leaders & officials, Dec 2024), Tourism Ticker (12 Dec 2024), https://www.tourismticker.com (see “Hospitality Summit: First steps to industry growth road map”)

[25] Hospitality NZ Awards for Excellence – background, Hospitality Business Magazine, https://www.hospitalitybusiness.co.nz (search “Awards for Excellence Hospitality NZ 2023”)

[26] Matt Doocey acknowledged as first Minister for Hospitality & Tourism, Scoop News (Press Release, 8 Nov 2023), https://m.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2311/S00043.htm

[27] HNZ media releases (archive) – e.g. “Meeting with Minister Faafoi over urgent action on migrant visas”, Hospitality NZ News & Media (Jun 2021), https://hospitality.org.nz/about-us/news-and-media (site excerpt)

[28] HNZ media release: “Hospitality skills shortages at crisis level… extending working holiday visas”, Hospitality NZ (10 June 2021), https://hospitality.org.nz/advocacy-and-insights/media-release-hospitality-nz-skills-shortages-crisis (archived)

[29] HNZ opposes alcohol law changes (Sale & Supply of Alcohol Amendment Bill), Restaurant & Café Magazine (14 Jun 2023), https://restaurantandcafe.co.nz/hospitality-new-zealand-oppose-changes-to-legislation/

[30] “This bill…could threaten the very future of their businesses” – Julie White on alcohol law, Restaurant & Café (14/6/2023), https://restaurantandcafe.co.nz/hospitality-new-zealand-oppose-changes-to-legislation/ (Julie White quotes)

[31] HNZ “deep concerns” with Employment Relations Bill, Interest.co.nz (30 Aug 2018), https://www.interest.co.nz/news/95376/hospitality-new-zealand-says-sector-has-deep-concerns-governments-employment-relations (HNZ vs CTU on bill)

[32] Julie White quote: “Now it’s 100% Health running the show” (on COVID response), Al Jazeera (Op-ed, 25 Aug 2021), https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/8/25/new-zealand-grapples-with-delta-and-tucker-carlson (citing Stuff interview with Julie White)

[33] Rotorua hospitality businesses protest immigration settings, NZ Herald (22 Mar 2021), https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/immigration-rotorua-hospitality-businesses-shut-down-in-protest-over-staff-shortage/V7U7Y3J7Y5C47B6CKD6WUXFMDI/ (HNZ Bay of Plenty spokesman Reg Hennessy)

[34] Hospitality NZ to negotiate Fair Pay Agreement for employers, Hotel Magazine NZ (20 Jun 2023), https://hotelmagazine.co.nz/2023/06/20/hospitality-new-zealand-supports-fair-pay-discussions/ (HNZ bargaining agent for FPA)

[35] Fair Pay Agreement: HNZ applied as bargaining agent, Hotel Magazine (2023), https://hotelmagazine.co.nz/2023/06/20/hospitality-new-zealand-supports-fair-pay-discussions/ (Julie White quotes on FPA challenge)

[36] Alcohol excise tax hike opposed by HNZ and brewers, Pursuit of Hoppiness (Brewers blog, 2022), https://www.hoppiness.co.nz/articles/excise-tax-hike-opposed (joint call by HNZ and Brewers Association)

[37] BusinessNZ urging support for local shops during lockdown (mentions HNZ), Tourism Ticker (8 Sep 2021), https://www.tourismticker.com (see “Support little local businesses – BusinessNZ”)

[38] Representatives from HNZ met Finance Minister (wage subsidy plea), AccomNews NZ (13 Sep 2021), https://www.accomnews.com.au/2021/09/bad-news-for-new-zealand-hospitality-crisis/ (Grant Robertson meeting)

[39] “Most of our members will trade at a loss even with the wage subsidy…” – Julie White, AccomNews (13/9/2021), https://www.accomnews.com.au/2021/09/bad-news-for-new-zealand-hospitality-crisis/ (Julie White quotes)

[40] 71% of NZ businesses took wage subsidy in 2020, Deloitte / Tax@Hand (2020 analysis), https://www2.deloitte.com/nz/en/pages/tax/articles/covid-19-latest-wage-subsidy-information.html (cited in interest of subsidy prevalence)

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz