April 2025: New Zealand Hospitality News Round-up
Positive change is something to just hope for, it’s here!
It feels like several currents, long building beneath the surface, are now powerfully converging. We're seeing the rubber hit the road on ambitious industry-led strategies, a serious injection of capital to lure back the world, and a hotel landscape that's not just recovering but expanding.
It's the kind of period that reminds us why we’re all in this game – the constant evolution, challenges, and the sheer thrill of seeing vision turn into reality. Let’s look at updates in April that mattered..
Hospitality Summit 2024: Industry Roadmap Takes Off
You’ll remember late last year, specifically December 2024, when Hospitality New Zealand (HNZ) and the Restaurant Association (RA) unveiled their comprehensive industry roadmap. I’ve published a deep dive last week going into the finer details of the report, you can read it on here. Born from the Hospitality Summit and sector-wide kōrero, this wasn’t just another report destined for a dusty shelf. It was a pragmatic blueprint, identifying 65 actionable solutions across seven critical areas, from data and immigration to licensing and skills. Minister of Tourism & Hospitality, Louise Upston, was quick to praise its alignment with the government’s own tourism growth ambitions, and that crucial government buy-in, particularly from MBIE, seems to be holding.
Fast forward to April 2025, and while the 65 solutions are a mix of quick wins and long-haul transformations, the ripples are definitely being felt. One of the immediate focal points, buoyed by a government funding commitment announced at the Summit, is the drive for better hospitality data. The vision for a central “Data Hub” platform – a one-stop shop for businesses to find up-to-date guidance and resources – is a game-changer. Think of the hours saved, the confusion avoided. HNZ and RA are spearheading this, knowing that robust, accessible data is the bedrock of smart decision-making and innovation. Alongside this, their existing “data domain” project is set to expand, aiming to give us all high-quality, relevant intel to fuel growth. Regular industry-government forums, another key recommendation, are also setting a new cadence for communication, ensuring everyone’s rowing in the same direction.
The other drum beating loudly is immigration. It’s no secret that finding and keeping great people remains a top-tier challenge. The roadmap’s calls for dedicated immigration officers for hospitality, the re-establishment of industry advisory groups with Immigration NZ, and moves to make visa settings more responsive (like extending Working Holiday Visas and ensuring post-study work rights for hospitality graduates) are more critical than ever. While some of these are bigger policy shifts, the consistent, unified voice from the industry, backed by the detailed rationale in the Summit report, is clearly resonating in Wellington. Watch this space closely, as progress here is fundamental to the sector's health.
READ OUR DEEP-DIVE: LINK
$13.5 Million Tourism Marketing Blitz
Speaking of government support, April 14th marked a significant moment with Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Minister Upston announcing a NZ$13.5 million "turbocharge" for Tourism New Zealand's (TNZ) international marketing efforts. This is a serious statement of intent, funded through the International Visitor Levy, and designed to build on the encouraging rebound in visitor numbers (international tourism spend hit $16.9 billion for the year ending March 2024, a near 60% jump year-on-year!!).
This cash injection is laser-focused on five key high-opportunity markets: China, India, the United States, Germany, and South Korea. Australia, our ever-important neighbour, is already being targeted with its own campaign, so this new funding is purely additive.
For China, once our second-largest source, the mission is clear: "get the numbers back," as Minister Upston put it. Expect campaigns emphasizing New Zealand's safety and natural allure to reignite that market.
India, an emerging powerhouse with a growing middle class, will likely see marketing tailored to niche interests like adventure and film tourism. We have seen Chris doubling down on partnership with India.
The United States is already showing fantastic growth (a record 63,700 US visitors in February 2025!), so the aim here is to convert those "active considerers" – the ones with NZ on their bucket list – into actual bookings.
Germany represents a traditionally high-spending, long-stay market, perfect for promoting our Great Walks and self-drive adventures.
And in South Korea, the focus will likely be on independent travel and experiences that resonate with younger demographics.
The government reckons this investment will attract an extra 23,000 international visitors by March 2026, injecting a cool $100 million into communities nationwide. Industry leaders are, understandably, buzzing. HNZ’s Steve Armitage called it a "significant potential boost," highlighting how more visitors mean fuller hotels, busier cafes, and, crucially, more jobs from "Cape Reinga to Bluff." Marisa Bidois from the RA echoed this, noting that over $31 million has been poured into international marketing, regional tourism, and business events in just the first few months of 2025. Her crucial point? That we should weave New Zealand's "rich and unique food story" into these campaigns. This resonates deeply with the Summit’s push for culinary tourism and the long-term ambition to bring the Michelin Guide to our shores. After all, an unforgettable meal can be just as powerful a draw as a breathtaking landscape.
This $13.5 million isn’t in isolation. It’s part of a broader IVL-funded strategy that includes investments in the NZ Cycle Trail network ($9M), regional tourism ($3M), business-events attraction ($3M), and enhancing visitor-conservation experiences ($30M). It’s a smart, holistic approach: attract the visitors, then ensure they have world-class experiences when they arrive.
Foreign Capital Continues Into NZ Hotels
All those anticipated visitors will need somewhere to stay, and the hotel sector is definitely feeling a surge of energy, heavily influenced by keen interest from overseas investors. New Zealand’s reputation as a premium, safe destination with pent-up travel demand is making our hotels a hot commodity, especially for capital from Asia and North America.
We’ve seen some landmark deals that underscore this confidence. Think of the brand-new InterContinental Auckland in Commercial Bay, snapped up by Singapore-listed Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) for a record NZ $180 million in 2024. Or the transformation of Auckland’s Stamford Plaza into the plush JW Marriott Auckland following a NZ $170 million deal in 2022, a venture involving Marriott International.
Even iconic luxury lodges like Huka Lodge are attracting serious North American private-equity interest, with KSL Capital Partners investing significantly in its refurbishment. These aren’t just transactions; they’re votes of confidence in New Zealand’s long-term appeal.
This influx of foreign direct investment (FDI) is being actively encouraged by a more welcoming policy environment. The Active Investor Plus visa settings saw changes become effective from April 1st this year, simplifying pathways for high-value individuals looking to invest capital here – and hotel projects can certainly qualify. The government is also committed to reforming the Overseas Investment Act (OIA) to make it less complex, and the new Fast-Track Approvals Act (FTAA) 2024 promises to speed up consenting for major projects, potentially including large hotel developments. Add to this the wider resource management reforms aiming to streamline approvals, and the message is clear: New Zealand is increasingly open for business.
This investor confidence is translating into a dynamic development scene, with international brands expanding their footprint. Accor is a major player here, with plans for 10 to 20 new hotels across New Zealand in the next five years. In the immediate front, we’re looking forward to seeing the TRIBE Auckland Fort Street, a design-led lifestyle hotel which, as of this month, is on track to open its doors in Q2 2025. This 60-room property promises "smart luxury at a great price point" and is set to become a vibrant social hub. It joins its quirky sibling, the JO&JOE Auckland Fort Street, an Accor/Ennismore hybrid hostel-hotel that opened in Q3 2023, blending social hostel vibes with hotel comforts. These two are part of a new wave of lifestyle-focused brands catering to modern travelers seeking authentic, connected experiences.
It's not just Accor. Marriott International is building on the success of JW Marriott Auckland. IHG has been active with the InterContinental Auckland opening mid-2024, alongside voco Auckland City Centre and Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park. Hilton Worldwide is expanding its DoubleTree brand and eyeing further growth. Even Hyatt is making a keenly anticipated re-entry into the New Zealand market.
The hotel development pipeline, which understandably slowed during the pandemic, is humming again. Early 2024 figures from Horwath HTL suggested around 3,900 new rooms in planning, many of which involve these international brands and offshore capital. Auckland and Queenstown remain key focal points, but Wellington and Christchurch are also seeing renewed interest.
The Path Forward
So, April 2025 feels like a pivot point.
The strategic groundwork laid by the industry is starting to translate into tangible action. Significant government investment is poised to refill the visitor pipeline. The hotel sector is buzzing with new capital, new brands, and new builds.
Of course, challenges remain. Labor, costs, and the sheer hard work of implementation are ever-present. But I’d rather focus an what's been an undeniable current of optimism, a sense that the collaboration, investment, and innovation we're seeing now are setting a course for a vibrant and resilient future for New Zealand hospitality. It’s a narrative of a sector not just recovering, but actively reaching for its next level of excellence. And that’s a story we’ll be following with immense interest here at The Hospitality Pulse.
Hospitality News Round-up Catalogue:
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About the Author
Joshua Thomas is the founder of Hospo HR, an experienced hotelier, and an advocate for New Zealand's vibrant hospitality sector. Always immersed in the latest hospitality trends, news, and updates, his passion stems from his lifelong love as a devoted foodie. Connect with Joshua and his community of hospitality professionals.
