Payments NZ is reminding merchants to check the age of their EFTPOS terminals as an important deadline for upgrading older models approaches. Any devices running on the PCI 3.x standard will no longer be compliant after 30 June 2024, leading to their disconnection from New Zealand’s payment network. Payments NZ chief executive Steve Wiggins says hardware is phased out as more modern and secure technology becomes available. “The payments industry works hard to ensure New Zealanders’ sensitive card data is protected from financial crime,” says Mr Wiggins. Mr Wiggins says ensuring EFTPOS devices ..read more

New Zealand-grown citrus fruit is now becoming available and promises to be one of the best quality and tastiest seasons we’ve had in years. Citrus NZ Chairman, Wayne Hall says limes and Satsuma mandarins are now available, and will soon be followed by Navel oranges, lemons, grapefruit and tangelos. “This season will be ‘the complete opposite’ of 2023 when Cyclone Gabrielle badly affected crops in Gisborne where 70% of our citrus fruit is grown. “The quality this year will be outstanding. We had a difficult season last year obviously, with the wet weather, but this year we’ve had a hot East C ..read more

Mind Your Temper vegan Black Forest Bonbon, described by judges as faultless, has been named the Leefield Station Supreme Champion and Bonbon Champion, at this year’s Outstanding Food Producer Awards. Crafted from plant-based chocolate made with coconut milk powder, Mind Your Temper Black Forest Bonbon is one of a range of treats which creator, Christchurch’s Nel Vincencio says surprise people when they learn they are vegan. “A funny thing happens if I say something is vegan or plant-based. People become suspicious and expect it won’t taste good.” Mind Your Temper is considered a pandemic bab ..read more

Northland’s The Tipsy Oyster will host a ‘Burgers and Business’ event organised by the Northland Women’s Club in conjunction with Milford Asset Management. Promising to tantalise taste buds and ignite entrepreneurial spirit, the event will be held on May 24 at 1pm at the Tipsy Oyster in Paihia. The not-for-profit club will host the event showcasing four of its businesses. The organisers say not only will this be an afternoon of fun and learning, delicious burgers and cocktails, but every guest will receive a goody bag with beautiful gifts and have the chance to explore four pop-up busine ..read more

Seeking to make your hospitality venture a reality? Each year the Hospitality Training Trust provides grants to associations, companies or individuals for projects that will further the aims and criteria of the Trust, around building excellence across the hospitality sector. If you have a project that will make a difference to the hospitality sector, the Trust would like to hear from you. Applications close on the 28th April 2024. Approved grants will be announced mid June. 2023 grant recipients included:- DINE Academy Trust, $15,000, Pre-employment Orientation Week & Teacher PD Day Dela ..read more

DoorDash has announced its delivery service will launch in Hamilton today, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion and growth plans across New Zealand. Competitor, Menulog meanwhile, has announced it plans to exit New Zealand next month, citing limited market size as the major reason. The Restaurant Association of New Zealand has released the following statement regarding its partnership with Menulog: “We are saddened to hear of the closure of Menulog, a valued partner to the Restaurant Association. Menulog has been a significant player in the meal delivery service market ..read more

Tipping in New Zealand: A Friendly Nod to Great Service In New Zealand, the act of tipping is not driven by obligation but by satisfaction and personal choice. Unlike many places where tipping feels almost mandatory, here it’s like giving a friendly nod for great service. It’s not expected every time we dine out, but when it happens, it’s a big thumbs up to the staff. Appreciation Over Expectation In our corner of the world, tipping is a sign of appreciation, not an expectation. This relaxed approach is thanks to our fair minimum wage laws and solid wage growth, ensuring that our hospitality ..read more

Restaurant and ready-to-eat meal prices increased by 6.4 percent for the period March 2023 to March 2024 according to figures released by Stats NZ, with alcohol and tobacco increasing by 7.5 percent for the same period. Food prices, however, increased just 0.7 percent in the 12 months to March 2024, the smallest increase since April 2021, Stats NZ reports. The 0.7 percent increase followed a 2.1 percent increase in the 12 months to February 2024, and is lower than the 12.1 percent increase recorded in the 12 months to March 2023. Stats NZ says the smaller annual increase was due to cheaper ..read more

Ponsonby’s renowned restaurant and bar festival, Eat Drink Love Ponsonby, is making a return for its fifth year, bringing an array of delectable flavours from around the globe, to the iconic Auckland Ponsonby Road strip. From the vibrant streets of Bangkok to the serene beaches of Bali, the rich heritage of Malaysia to the diverse landscapes of India and the rustic charm of Italy, the festival promises a culinary adventure that transcends borders. Running from May 1-28, this much-loved festival is set to entice diners with more than 65 offers tailored to every palate and budget, as well as so ..read more

New Zealand’s first Pacific Hospitality Forum has officially wrapped up in Auckland, with a commitment from attendees to take action on greater industry collaboration across the Pacific. The two-day, invite-only, event saw more than 50 hospitality industry professionals and associations from across the Pacific and Australia come together at the Cordis Hotel to discuss opportunities and challenges within the hospitality sector. Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive, Steve Armitage, and Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Hon Matt Doocey, opened the forum following a stirring haka pōwhiri by ..read more