In response to our acceptance of the Finance Minister’s challenge to business, Hon Nicola Willis has responded to the RA about our letter. You can read the whole letter below, which outlines her views of our industry’s importance to the nation’s economy and her willingness for our industry to be a key part of it.
Marisa Bidios
Restaurant Association
Marisa@restaurantnz.co.nz
Dear Marisa
Thank you for your letter of 21 March 2024 regarding the hospitality sector’s priorities for sector growth and the actions that have already been taken by the sector. I appreciate that you have taken the time to respond to my challenge to businesses with some practical ideas to the issues faced in your industry.
I firmly believe that New Zealand’s hospitality sector has a key role to play in New Zealand’s economic growth over the next few years. Hospitality helps tie communities together. It gives people spaces to relax, to meet, and to enjoy their lives. I also recognise the role the sector plays in putting money back into local economies.
I am pleased you are working closely with the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, to identify actions that can be taken to improve policy settings. I agree that there are opportunities to improve education in the restaurant sector. The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality has shared he is keen to work in association with industry and education stakeholders to look at further options for formalised hospitality training to support the sector and its workers to reach their economic potential.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Yours sincerely
Hon Nicola Willis
Minister of Finance