Restaurants ride shotgun & raise $370k for cyclone relief –
Hospitality businesses across the country hosted the nation’s biggest dinner party on Monday March 20, raising $370k in support of those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. Masterminded by Al Brown and supported by the Restaurant Association, 157 businesses across the country took part, with 6,600 diners purchasing tickets. Restaurants from Northland to Stewart Island cooked up a two course menu with proceeds going directly to those impacted by the cyclone. Thirty-five per cent of the proceeds will also go directly to hospitality communities impacted by the recent weather events. The remaining 65 per cent of the funds will be split equally…
SME concerns grow as risk of recession continues –
A nationwide survey of 1,000+ SME owners, directors and managers from across New Zealand by MYOB has highlighted the ongoing impact of inflation and the Reserve Bank’s efforts to control it are taking its toll on local businesses. Based on recent inflation increases, more than a third (38%) of local SME leaders could only sustain their business for up to six months before they would need to dip into their personal finances or seek additional finance, according to new data from the 2023 MYOB Business Monitor. A third (33%) of local SME decision-makers who respondents to the survey are ‘quite’…
Active NZ market a beacon for hotel investors says JLL –
The momentum in the hotel sector has been carried through into 2023, with the value of deals that have gone unconditionally this year, already passing $100 million and are currently under negotiation. Having transacted the record $170 million sale of Auckland’s Stamford Plaza late last year, now refurbished and re-opened as the JW Marriot Auckland, JLL Director Hotels & Hospitality Nick Thompson says the active New Zealand market is once again a beacon for investors seeking stable, long-term performance. The most recent deals transacted by JLL include the purchase by Distinction Hotels Group of the 253-room Mount Cook Hotel Collection,…
McPlant nuggets premiere in Germany –
The world’s first plant-based nuggets at a McDonald’s restaurant will be available in Germany’s 1450 outlets today, replacing the vegan burger. Also new on the menu is the McPlant Burger. It replaces the vegan burger and the Fresh Vegan TS, and McDonald’s has emphasized the plant-based characteristic of the nuggets and patties, avoiding the vegan designation. This makes Germany the first country market with plant-based nuggets on the menu boards. According to the company, this is also the first time a plant-based alternative has been available in a Happy Meal. McDonald’s and Beyond Meat worked together to create the new…
Food experts meet to judge New Zealand’s finest produce –
Michelin-star chef Pim Techamuanvivit is joining internationally renowned New Zealand chef Peter Gordon and 25 local food experts to judge the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards in Auckland this week. More than 290 locally harvested, grown and made food and drink products will be assessed on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 February at Gordon’s restaurant, Homeland, known as The Food Embassy for Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands. Born and raised in Bangkok, Pim (pictured above right), took a circuitous route through the world of food from blogging (her blog Chez Pim attracted more than 250,000 views a month), to make…
Contingency planning essential says NZ Events Association –
The New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) says the cancellation of multiple events at short notice is heartbreaking for organizers and concertgoers alike, but says it is a timely reminder of the necessity for emergency contingency plans. “Just when things seemed to be getting back to normal for the events industry, it started raining and hasn’t stopped,” says Elaine Linnell, General Manager, NZEA. “It’s devastating for all our members as the cancellation of major events has a knock-on effect which is hitting hard. It also demonstrates the necessity for emergency plans – after all, this is New Zealand and the unexpected…
Te Pūkenga- Facing into the challenge of change –
By Peter Winder Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, Te Pūkenga Biography Peter Winder was officially appointed Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, Te Pūkenga, in December 2022 after guiding the network through a reset and realignment as Acting Chief Executive since July of that year. Mr Winder has been involved at a governance level in the tertiary education sector for several years, including the establishment board of Te Pūkenga, and brings a wealth of experience in managing large and complex organisations. Facing into the challenge of change As a…