The Government has announced that New Zealanders will be given a day off on September 26, to coincide with a memorial service for the late Queen at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul.
Hospitality New Zealand has welcomed the announcement, despite the cost.
“It’s a good thing we are able to acknowledge, as a country, the Queen’s exemplary service to New Zealand during the 70 years of her reign,” said Chief Executive, Julie White.
“We know every public holiday comes at a cost for hospitality and accommodation businesses due to having to pay penalty rates, but we believe this one-off day is worth it.
“At this very early stage we are unsure how many businesses will be open due to the extra costs, but maybe this will be different to other public holidays.
“Some will not open, and after the past few years of struggle, who can blame them. But those that can, will no doubt welcome the chance to help people raise a toast to the Queen.
National president of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand and Monsoon Poon restaurant owner, Mike Egan said, however, that while his organisation appreciated the sentiment, many of its members did not open on public holidays because they could not afford to pay the penal rates.
“They know this in advance and do not take bookings for those days. However, many of them would have already taken bookings for the proposed date of this public holiday,” he said.
“So now [they] either have to contact and cancel all these bookings or open and honour those reservations and make a loss.”
ACT Party leader, David Seymour said his party did not support the idea. He estimated the day would cost businesses $450 million, based on figures provided by Treasury last year.
Some businesses are embracing the one-off holiday. For example, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa general manager, Graeme Abbot, said the public holiday could lead to a 20 to 30 percent revenue boost.
