The best of New Zealand’s hospitality industry has come to the fore as finalists have been announced in this year’s Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence. The range of finalists across 15 categories encompasses everything from country pubs in small rural towns and cafes in provincial centres, through to upmarket gastro bars and five star hotels in the major cities.
Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Bruce Robertson said the common theme all finalists shared, was the outstanding levels of innovation, customer service and business professionalism they each displayed – along with the passion and enthusiasm embodied by their respective owners and operators.
“Our worthy finalists epitomise the crème-de-la-crème of New Zealand’s hospitality industry across all its guises – and were selected after a comprehensive and rigorous judging process,” Robertson says.
“The standard and quality among these finalists sets them apart from their competitors in the marketplace, and any of the finalists would make worthy winners. They are a proud reflection of where the cutting edge of New Zealand’s hospitality industry is moving – delivering consumers service standards and environments which are the equal of anywhere in the world.”
Robertson says it was also encouraging to see such a broad spectrum of business ownerships represented in the list of finalists – from private companies and family-run venues, through to large corporate entities with a multi-national presence.
“And in a geographical sense, we have finalists stretching the length of New Zealand. That scope shows the true depth and quality of the hospitality sector across New Zealand.”
Entrants into the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence are judged over a seven week period by a panel of independent industry professionals who assess every competitor on a range of commercial and operational criteria – including staff training and human resources, customer service, marketing and promotional activities, and the demonstration of business growth.
Winners at Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence will be announced at the organisation’s national conference being held in Rotorua on September 17 and 18.
National Finalists: Sponsors:
Best Bar SKY Network Television
Baretta, Christchurch
Chapel Bar and Bistro, Auckland
Good George Brewing and Dining Hall, Hamilton
St Johns Heineken Hotel, Wellington
Best Restaurant Genesis Energy
Dux Dine, Christchurch
Portlander, Rydges Wellington
Smith & McKenzie Chophouse, Hamilton
Best Cafe Marsh Insurance
Replete Café & Store, Taupo
Revolve, Cambridge
The Batch Cafe, Invercargill
Best Accommodation Hotel Paymark
Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Mangere, Auckland
Rydges Wellington
West Plaza Hotel, Wellington
Best New / Redeveloped Bar / Restaurant Noel Leeming
Bloody Mary, Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Good Neighbour, Hamilton
Mashina Lounge, Christchurch Casino
Vinyl Bar, Wellington
Best New / Redeveloped Accommodation Hotel Hospitality Business Magazine
Art Deco Masonic Hotel, Napier
Rydges Latimer, Christchurch
Stony River Hotel, Taranaki
Best Country Hotel Kiwihospitality.co.nz
Chatto Creek Tavern, Alexandra
Sawyers Arms, Waipawa
Theatre Royal Hotel, Kumara
Waihi Beach Hotel, Waihi Beach
Best Music Entertainment Venue Automated Music Systems
Dux Live, Christchurch
King Street Live, Masterton
Studio the Venue, Auckland
The Mayfair, New Plymouth
Best TAB Venue TAB
The Dark Horse, Auckland
The Tote & Furnace, Upper Hutt
Yardhouse, Hamilton
Excellence in Customer Service Spark
Chatto Creek Tavern, Alexandra
Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Mangere, Auckland
Larnach Castle, Dunedin
The Batch Cafe, Invercargill
Excellence in Gaming IGT New Zealand
Five Stags Leamington, Cambridge
Yardhouse, Hamilton
Excellence in Marketing American Express
Chapel Bar and Bistro, Auckland
Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Mangere, Auckland
Rydges Wellington
The Riverhead, Auckland
Excellence in Training & Staff Development Service IQ
Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Mangere, Auckland
St Johns Heineken Hotel, Wellington
The Batch Café, Invercargill
The Dominion, Auckland
Excellence in Host Responsibility Health Promotion Agency
Christchurch Casino
El Horno, Wellington
St Johns Heineken Hotel, Wellington
Best Environmental, Sustainable and Ethical Practice About Print
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, Wellington
Jet Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Mangere, Auckland
