The exit interview: Hospitality NZ CEO Julie White

Hospitality sector leader says the industry had to create their own playbook through covid. (Image: HNZ)

Thu, 29 Jun 2023

Julie White had a short, rather brutal tenure at the helm of Hospitality New Zealand as she took over as chief executive in December 2019 in the shadow of a looming pandemic.Within a short two months, she was enmeshed in discussions with then-prime minister Jacinda Ardern and cabinet members, grappling with early covid settings to ensure the industry’s survival.White also worked directly with then-commerce and consumer affairs and immigration minister Kris Faafoi to ensure venues could open within the covid framework. That, she said,...

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