'Not what we were hoping for': Labour weekend success varied for local businesses

It was a bustling weekend for some but it was bleak for others - the lack of domestic travellers was clear in what is normally a busy time before summer.

Auckland and parts of Waikato remaining in alert level 3 has had a direct impact on business in the Bay of Plenty, owners and representatives say.

Hospitality NZ accommodation sector Bay of Plenty chairman and Tauranga's 850 Cameron Motel owner Tony Bullot said tit was noticeable that there were "very few" holidaymakers in the region.

"Previous Labour weekends are full, this one is not."

This was on top of the already current drop in business by 50 to 70 per cent.

"It's not what we were hoping for, and we don't expect anything anymore. The times are too impossible to predict at the moment."

Hospitality NZ accommodation sector Bay of Plenty chairman and 850 Cameron Road Motel owner Tony Bullot. Photo / George Novak

He believed many accommodation suppliers around the region were on their last legs.

"People have been dipping into savings for a while now. At some point they stop being able to put more on the mortgage on their house or dipping into savings."

Bullot hoped the resurgence payments would make a difference and said the previous payment covered little of the fixed expenses.

For him, this included rent, insurance and rates.

Hospitality New Zealand Bay of Plenty regional manager Melissa Renwick said there would be a "gaping hole" in the turnover with two important regions in lockdown.

Aucklanders spent 26.6 per cent of the domestic tourist spend in the Bay of Plenty last year, she said. "That, plus the Waikato spend, will not be in the pockets of our hospitality operators.

"There is no doubt that businesses will be left with a gaping hole in their turnover on what should be one of the busiest weekends."

She said the prolonged lack of domestic travellers was "really hurting" and businesses needed the community to get out, do some spending and "generally help boost morale to get through until Christmas".

Meanwhile, Crown and Badger owner Jessica Rafferty said it was a busy weekend for the pub and restaurant, with a few menu items even selling out, which was a positive.

Crown and Badger owner Jessica Rafferty. Photo / George Novak

It was quieter on Friday night, which was usually the case before a long weekend, she said, but picked up on Saturday and Sunday, with another group booked on Monday.

There was live music on Saturday, which customers also enjoyed.

She said the lockdowns did not affect the turnout on long weekends as "people usually just want to go out and celebrate".

Bayfair Shopping Centre manager Steve Ellingford said visitor numbers were up five per cent this weekend compared to the same time last year, and October was also set to be stronger than 2020.

"I'm very pleased, especially for the businesses."

He said it was a "really good outcome" despite Auckland and Waikato being in lockdown and the many events that had been cancelled.

Ellingford said the weather had a big part to play as people just wanted to get out and about.

Bayfair manager Steve Ellingford. Photo / Andrew Warner

Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service chairman Jamie Troughton said bad weather and regions in lockdown made for a quiet Labour weekend for surf lifesavers.

The season officially started on Saturday and while there was a decent surf running, Troughton said the water was still a bit cold and kept other keen swimmers off the beach.

"We're always hoping for fine weather. It's what we expected given that we don't have domestic tourism at the moment," he said.

"With Auckland locked out of the Bay, it's really reduced the number of visitors. That's been reflected in the number of people on the beaches."

The patrol also responded to first-aid calls on Mauao, which were minimal.

Troughton said if Covid-related pressures continued, the surf life-saving season would be affected. These included the difficulty of lifeguards operating under Covid restrictions; masks where social distancing isn't possible, reduced people in the surf tower, and physically distancing in the flags.

"It will affect things over the season if the Covid pressures continue."

Surf Life Saving national club and volunteer development manager Chris Emmett said some clubs will have reduced staffing or may not patrol due to Covid complications and club member availability.

He said the public need to take extra caution in the water in these instances and beaches will be 'red flagged', meaning no swimming.

As of Monday morning, police attended nine crashes in the Bay of Plenty area, none of which were fatal.

On Saturday, crashes included one between a car and a ute on Townhead Crescent in Tauranga at 1.34pm and a crash between a motorbike and car in the Eastern Bay of Plenty on Ruatuna Rd at 2.40pm.

A spokesman said the tri-weekly numbers for Covid-19 compliance would not be available until Wednesday.