Hospitality advocate leaves after 20 years

Bruce Robertson, chief executive of the Hospitality Association of New Zealand. PHOTO/FILE

The head of New Zealand's hospitality industry body is stepping down and moving to Carterton.

Bruce Robertson, chief executive of Hospitality New Zealand, said yesterday he and his wife would be "relocating to Wairarapa permanently in the New Year".

The couple have had a place in Carterton since 2002 and regularly spend weekends in the region.

Hospitality New Zealand national president Adam Cunningham spoke of the "significant contribution" Mr Robertson had made "for this association and the industry as a whole over the last 20 years".

"Hospitality NZ is what we are today in a large part due to Bruce's passionate advocacy and energy," Mr Cunningham said.

Mr Robertson is the face of a recent TV advertising campaign, Know Your Limit -- a message he says is important for regions such as Wairarapa.

"If you want to have a couple of drinks ... it's really helpful to know."

The campaign tells viewers that an average man can have three standard drinks in three hours, and an average woman two drinks in two hours, without being over the legal blood alcohol limit.

Mr Robertson plans to take on some governance roles and continuing with advocacy work on a contract basis.