Health and safety law reforms viewed as a win for hunters and experts assess "healthcare crisis" at Nelson Hospital. Video / NZ Herald, Getty Images
Mario Schmidt, owner of Bluff Hill Lighthouse B&B in Napier, has turned away American guests due to Donald Trump’s “betrayal” of Ukraine.
Schmidt requires American guests to prove they are Democrats to honour their bookings, citing concerns about fascism.
Hospitality NZ says the sector is supposed to be built on welcoming all guests and providing exceptional service, not discrimination based on nationality.
A Napier accommodation provider is turning away American guests as a way to fight back against Trump administration policies.
Mario Schmidt, owner of the Bluff Hill Lighthouse B&B, has cancelled the booking of “every” American guest who has booked a bed with him since February and has told them to blame US President Donald Trump and one of his key advisers, billionaire Elon Musk.
“All New Zealand accommodation businesses must start to resist the Trump and Musk regime,” Schmidt said.
“Doing nothing is no longer an option. We must raise awareness [of] the breakdown of democracy in the US.”
The US Embassy said in a statement that in their experience, New Zealanders were amazingly hospitable and friendly.
“We find this incident very surprising.”
Mario Schmidt (inset) and the Ukrainian flag above an upside-down US flag outside of his B&B on Bluff Hill, Napier.
Schmidt sent Hawke’s Bay Today the cancellation email he had sent to one would-be guest, in which he says the B&B had changed its guest policy since Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump’s disastrous meeting in the White House in February, in which the US President accused his counterpart of “gambling with World War III”.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022 and now controls about 20% of Ukraine.
Mario Schmidt wants Americans to realise something is wrong in their country. Photo / Warren Buckland
Trump has repeatedly said he wants the three-year conflict in Ukraine to end, likely with Ukraine ceding territory to Russia.
“[We have] decided to not take bookings from the USA any longer because Trump betrayed Ukraine,” Schmidt says in his email.
“Your Government is turning to fascism and I do not support that.
“Trump is a disgusting human being, which reflects on all Americans now. I am very sorry, please blame Musk and Trump for it.”
In the email, Schmidt tells the guest if they can prove they are a Democrat, he will “honour the booking”. If they don’t, Schmidt says there will be no cancellation fee.
Schmidt was on Monday flying a Ukraine flag atop an upside-down US flag at his bed and breakfast on Lighthouse Rd.
He said the flags would remain that way until Trump, and the “clowns” around him, were convicted of treason.
“I was born in Germany, and we learned a thing or two about fascism and believe that both Trump and Musk are a red flag for me since the Ukraine war started.
“I am not sleepwalking back into 1933, even here in little old Napier.”
Napier man Mario Schmidt has spent five years trying to bring a lighthouse back to Bluff Hill. Photo / Warren Buckland and Mario Schmidt
Schmidt, who has a fascination with lighthouses, has previously made headlines for trying to recreate a historic lighthouse near the grounds of Napier’s old prison.
Schmidt said his latest stance had already cost him at least two bookings – roughly $500 worth of business – but it would not have much of a financial impact for him.
“I am retired, so I do not rely on the income from the B&B anymore. I host people for reasons beyond just making money.
“It certainly will make some difference for sure, but I see that as my part and duty to support Ukraine and democracy worldwide in any way I can.
“I believe that if everyone cancels US goods, the current clown administration in the US will collapse.”
Schmidt said he regularly emails the American and Russian embassies in Wellington his thoughts about the Ukrainian War, runs petitions and is planning to protest at a Tesla dealership soon.
He has now closed his B&B for the winter but says he will continue to reject any American booking for next summer.
Schmidt says he loves the American people and is not cancelling their bookings lightly.
“Only when all Americans are affected by what is happening will they come to the realisation that something is seriously wrong with their Maga [Make America Great Again] world view,” he said.
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission said the Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the provision of accommodation on the grounds of national origin, but various exceptions can apply.
“Applying a blanket rule to individuals from a particular community because they belong to that community, can often be harmful and result in discriminatory outcomes.
“People in Aotearoa are, of course, free to hold and express a broad range of views on events here and overseas.
“However, when it comes to restricting access to services, the Human Rights Act makes some forms of discrimination unlawful.”
Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armitage said the sector was built on welcoming all guests and providing exceptional service, not discrimination based on nationality.
“While business owners are entitled to their personal views, we encourage all operators to uphold inclusive and professional hospitality practices.
“Visitors from the US are most welcome, with strong arrival numbers over the summer period. We hope this positive trend continues, as sentiment for New Zealand remains strong — an opportunity the hospitality sector is keen to embrace.”
Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and spent the past 15 years working in radio and media in Auckland, London, Berlin and Napier. He reports on all stories relevant to residents of the region.
