“Auckland Drinkers Cop it in the wallet”

“Auckland Drinkers Cop it in the wallet”

Hospitality businesses in the city will be forced to hike their prices this month thanks to increased costs from all quarters, says the Hospitality Association of New Zealand.

A June 1st increase in excise tax, up to 6% price rises from the Breweries, the impact of the new Holidays legislation and now the 63% rise in rates for businesses from the Auckland Regional Council, are hitting an industry already dealing with the winter downtime, and preparing for the impact of the smoke free legislation later in the year, says Hospitality Association Regional Manager Sara Tucker.

“We asked the Minister of Finance [Dr Michael Cullen] not to hit the industry with a tax increase this year. Unfortunately, our plea fell on deaf ears. Now the ARC has dealt the industry in Auckland another blow,” she commented.

“The industry will be forced to pass these increased costs on to the public. Consumers who may have thought the recent budget gave them more discretionary dollars will find that a glass of beer to celebrate will be costing them more” she said.

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