ARMY OF NZ HOSPITALITY WORKERS NEEDED THIS PARTY SEASON

Oct 10, 2022

NEW Zealand’s bustling pubs, restaurants, cafes, and hotels are in critical need of a 30,000-strong army of new recruits this summer, to prevent venues closing their doors for up to three days a week, and offering limited menus to diners, who may have to wait up to 25% longer for their meals.

 

In what is shaping as the biggest season for socializing since the Millennium, the 2022-23 summer marks the first time in three years most New Zealanders will be out of hibernation and ready to party.

 

However, the hospitality industry is facing a national worker shortage as it rebuilds after the covid pandemic.

 

“The hospitality industry in New Zealand is worth $10.7 billion, and right now, it is time to call in the reinforcements because if we are any chance of seeing hospitality soar this summer, we need support,” Barcats New Zealand CEO Jeff Williams said.

 

“We need 30,000 new workers, which is almost double the size of the entire New Zealand Defence Force[1].

 

“We need staff now with blockbuster events coming up like the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Auckland, the Wanaka Beer Festival, the Wine & Food Festival in Christchurch, the Rhythm & Alps Festival in the South Island, concerts from international artists such as Snoop Dog, George Ezra, Guns n Roses and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and Ironman New Zealand in Taupo.

 

“It has been a long and challenging few years for this sector and we are desperate to see pubs and clubs, bars and restaurants, cafes and hotels thriving again.

 

“But the reality is, if we don’t get workers back, customers will suffer. Customers face a 25% increase in wait times, reservation unavailability, increase costs, limited menus and opening hours and a decline in service quality.”

 

Across New Zealand the top five hospitality jobs that need filling are bar and wait staff, kitchen staff, management roles, baristas, and hotel staff.

 

“We want this to be a blockbuster summer, and this is an industry that hires across a variety of ages – from university students, to retirees, and year 12 graduates across the country, we need you to sign up and be part of this hospitality army,” Mr Williams said.

 

 

 

Table 1: Estimated jobs available, job descriptions & training

JOBS	VACANCIES	LOCATION	JOB DESCRIPTION
Bar staff/Bartender	450 100 100	Auckland Wellington Christchurch	Anything from serving drinks to making cocktails. Bar staff and bar people often have RSA’s, basic knowledge of alcoholic beverages and are licensed to serve them.
Wait staff	400 70 100	Auckland Wellington Christchurch	Waitstaff, and all-rounders, are the face of a venue - usually the first smile you see when you walk into a venue and enjoy your meal. From taking orders, to recommending dishes, to finalising payments, they ensure you have a great experience.
Kitchen staff	100 100 100	Auckland Wellington Christchurch	Behind the scenes a chef has a team of kitchen hands helping create every dish that goes out that night. They’re part of the greater engine of the kitchen keeping everything running.
Management duty	400 100 100	Auckland Wellington Christchurch	The Management team in a restaurant is the orchestrator, making sure everything continues to run smoothly between front and back of house.
Barista	1,500 350 400	Auckland Wellington Christchurch	Making a cup of coffee isn’t quite as simple as it seems, being able to create the perfect brew is an art.
Housekeeping/Hotels	1,000 300 300	Auckland Wellington Christchurch	All hotel staff from housekeeping to welcome attendants are a huge part of hospitality and they’re integral to the perfect holiday.

 

Table 2: Predicted top three-party hotspots, Auckland.

LOCATION

HOTSPOTS

AUCKLAND, NZ

VIADUCT – Auckland is overdue for a great season of hospitality. The Viaduct is the go-to pace for summer. Outdoor venues and rooftop bars are sure to be a huge hit as the season warms up, so get to Dr Rudi’s and Saint Alice.  HOBSONVILLE – Catch a ferry and to Little Creatures Hobsonville, where you’ll be taken to new heights with their craft brew in an old 1930s aeroplane hangar. TAKAPUNA – A visit to the gorgeous Takapuna is bound to be popular this warmer season, as is the Korean BBQ and Sushi triangle that make up Lake Road, Anzac Street and Hurstmere.

 

Table 3: Party Season schedule

 

DATE	EVENT	LOCATION
8 OCT-12 NOV	Women’s Rugby World Cup	Eden Park, AUCKLAND
12 OCT	Constellation Cup	Spark Arena, AUCKLAND
25 OCT	George Ezra concert	Spark Arena, AUCKLAND
5 NOV	Snoop Dogg concert	Spark Arena, AUCKLAND
12 NOV	Women’s Rugby World Cup Final	Eden Park, AUCKLAND
2 DEC	Beers in the Park Festival	AUCKLAND
3 DEC	Wanaka Beer Festival	WANAKA
3 DEC	Wine & Food Festival New Zealand	Hagley Park, CHRISTCHURCH
8 DEC	Guns n Roses Concert	Sky Stadium, WELLINGTON
10 DEC	Ironman New Zealand	Taupo, WAIKATO
10 DEC	Stormzy concert	TSB Arena, WELLINGTON
16 & 17 DEC	Kendrick Lamar concert	Spark Arena, AUCKLAND
29 -31 DEC	Rhythm & Alps Festival	Cardrona Valley, SOUTH ISLAND
31 DEC	New Year’s Eve celebrations	Various locations
5-11 JAN	Juicy Festival	AUCKLAND, NAPIER, TAURANGA, PALMERSTON NORTH & WHANGAREI
20 JAN	Kehlani	Spark Arena, AUCKLAND
22 JAN	Red Hot Chili Peppers & Post Malone concert	Mt Smart Stadium, AUCKLAND
23 JAN	Wellington Anniversary Day	WELLINGTON
24-28 JAN	Elton John Concert	CHRISTCHURCH & AUCKLAND
28 -29 JAN	One Love Festival	TAURANGA
28 JAN	Great Kiwi Beer Festival	CHRISTCHURCH
30 JAN	Auckland & Nelson Anniversary Day

 

 

About Barcats

 

Barcats is a digital platform connecting hospitality venues with quality staff and jobseekers with the right training and support for their ideal role.

 

Launched in June 2017, it is one of the fastest growing hospitality networks across New Zealand and Australia and is well positioned to continue supporting and connecting the hospitality community, one job at a time. 

 

It provides a range of training for mature workers, those looking to enter the industry, upskilling, management and more.

 

With more than 100,000 members of staff and close to 30,000 venues hooked up to the platform, Barcats is uniquely positioned to provide industry insights.

 

To start your hospitality job search, or training, visit:  www.barcats.co.nz

 

Facebook: Barcats.co.nz
Instagram: @barcats_community
 

Case studies

 

Barcats has case studies of New Zealand businesses urgently in need of new workers this summer.

 

Media Relations

Adam Connolly                  +61 417 170 084    aconnolly@apollo.sydney

Julie Snook                         +61 409 169 836    jsnook@apollo.sydney