Time to go where everybody knows your name

It's been a tough year for hospitality. (Image: Deposit Photos)

Fri, 07 Jan 2022

Publicans and restaurateurs up and down the country are trying to keep their heads above water in what’s been a trying time for their sector.The lockdowns of the past two years literally squeezed the life out of hundreds of businesses that shut up shop when their customers vacated the office buildings they served, and thousands of hospo workers quit the industry to pick up similar customer-facing roles in retail or similar service sectors.Adjusting for inflation, retail spending on food and beverages in the September quarter, capturing th...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ stocks take Wall Street lead to end down 1%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed down 133.41 points or 0.98% at 13,464.46.

Jamie Gray 14 Nov 2025

Primary Sector

Comvita deal fails, attention turns to capital raise

“It is your company, and ultimately, shareholders determine its future.”

Riley Kennedy 14 Nov 2025

Comvita deal fails, attention turns to capital raise

Primary Sector

Synlait Milk increases working capital facility

Its annual meeting is next week.

Riley Kennedy 14 Nov 2025

Synlait Milk increases working capital facility

Sponsored

Cybersecurity skills gap leaving Kiwi businesses at risk - report

A cybersecurity skills shortage is creating additional cyber risks, according to a new global report.

Fortinet

Sponsored

Spark’s partner strategy sets the bar for innovation

Spark

More Retail

Retail

NZ’s second giant Costco Wholesale to be built at Drury

New Zealand’s second giant Costco Wholesale shop will be built in South Auckland’s Drury, it has been confirmed.Kiwi Property chief executive Clive Mackenzie and Costco country manager Chris Tingman made a joint statement about a conditional land deal.“Kiwi Property has reached a...

Staff reporters 12 Nov 2025