Auckland hospitality crunch: Trident’s Little Sicily in Onehunga to close its doors

Italian restaurant Trident's Little Sicily restaurant in Onehunga is closing its doors this week. Photo / 123rf

Auckland is losing another hospitality business, with Italian restaurant Trident’s Little Sicily in Onehunga set to close its doors this week.

In a post on Facebook, the restaurant’s owner Andrew Clapham said: “It is with much sadness and regret we announce that we are closing this week. Saturday will be our last day and night of trading.

“I would like to thank all my staff for their help and support over the last two years. It has never been easy but you given it your all and I am grateful for that.

“I would also like to thank our customers for enjoying our food and hospitality.”

In a parting shot, the restaurant, which is located on Onehunga Mall road, took aim at Auckland Council and Auckland Transport over an undisclosed issue.

“You should be held accountable to all small businesses when your actions cause businesses to lose their livelihoods,” the post read.

But commentors on the Facebook post were quick to vent their frustration over the 30-minute car parking restrictions at Onehunga Mall and nearby streets.

According to the Herald’s breakdown of Auckland’s top 10 streets for parking tickets from January 1 to October 23 last year, Onehunga Mall was second with 8782 tickets.

Debbie Burrows, Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Chair, told the Herald it was sad to hear a local favourite business is closing.

“It is clear that the current parking arrangements are not working as intended,” Burrows said.

“The Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board has been working closely with Auckland Transport and has agreed to progress public consultation shortly on extending the time limits on Onehunga Mall.

“Our goal is to strike the right balance – supporting local businesses, ensuring appropriate parking turnover, and making Onehunga an attractive place to visit and spend time.

“We remain committed to supporting Onehunga through what has been a challenging period of renewal for the town centre.”

The Herald has contacted Trident’s Little Sicily for comment.

Hospitality businesses have been hit hard by the economic downturn in the past couple of years, leading to the closure of popular establishments in Auckland.

Last week, the Herald reported Auckland restaurant Jadetown Uyghur Cuisine was closing its Mt Eden premises after going into liquidation.

Famed Ponsonby Rd strip restaurant Sidart closed its doors in October last year after it also went into liquidation.

Owner and executive chef Lesley Chandra had bought Sidart in 2021 from restaurateurs Sid and Chand Sahrawat, who opened the restaurant in 2009.

Chinese restaurant Dragonboat went into liquidation last year after 30 years in business, owing $1.4 million to creditors and its landlord.

Other eateries to close in 2025 include Little and Friday, The Grove and Moe Palae’ Myanmar.

Centrix data shows the hospitality industry accounted for the second-highest amount of liquidations (318), behind construction, in the 12 months to October 2025.

A Restaurant Association report showed national hospitality sales for the third quarter of 2025 grew 5.9% year on year to reach $4.05 billion.

But the improvement in revenue growth had not translated into proportional margin improvement, with cost pressures remaining “elevated”, the report said.