Aad Bloom lives in one of Tararua's beachside gems, Herbertville, an hour east of Dannevirke where he owns the hotel - the Beach Haven Inn.
But Bloom feels he is drowning in a sea of regulatory requirements and multiple licensing commitments and the associated multiple costs.
"It's just a little community hotel and we are basically a one-man band and I want one licence for everything and not have to fill in forms and face bills for multiple requirements," he said.
"It's getting unbearable trying to trade and keep up with all the certificates and licences I need to operate.
"I want to deal with one person at the Tararua District Council and I want our licences simplified, along with the associated costs."
Bloom said he wasn't asking for shortcuts.
"I just ask for one simplified licence for me to trade," he said.
Dannevirke businessman Suresh Patel said he understood Bloom's frustrations, which were shared by others.