The Regulations Ministry’s next review will tackle the hospitality sector.
Minister David Seymour announced the move with Hospitality Minister Louise Upston this morning.
It would cover regulations for restaurants, cafes, bars, food stalls at markets, food trucks, caterers and hotels, but exclude gambling regulations.
Seymour said the industry was hit hard by Covid-19, and red tape had made it hard to bounce back.
“Every Kiwi has a cafe or bar they wish was still open. Inconsistent requirements cost owners valuable time and money.
“For example, some business owners might be required to get resource consents on top of alcohol licenses, so that customers can enjoy a cold beer in sun. In other areas of the country just an alcohol licence is required.”
It would also look at rules that kept hotel guests from taking a glass of wine they bought at the bar from taking it back to their room.
“It just doesn’t make sense. That same guest can purchase a bottle of wine from the supermarket to drink in their room.”
Food truck owners who wanted to service events also faced “disproportionate costs” from some local councils, with one paying more than $900 for a single event, he said.
Upston said she was looking forward to “working to get hospitality back on the table”.
“This review will improve hospitality rules so they’re working as they should – cutting red tape, keeping costs down, managing risks and making compliance easier.”
The review was set to take six months.
Seymour and Upston encouraged people to submit complaints about regulations to the ministry.
