New cafes prove a plus for Rotorua

Business leaders say the opening of several new restaurants in Rotorua reflects a growing visitor market and increased business confidence.

Four new eateries have been established in the city in recent months which Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Roger Gordon says points to growing confidence in the central city as a place to do business.

New business owners say they see Rotorua as a growing city with plenty going for it and the potential for further growth given plans to cater for transtasman flights at the city's airport.

Mr Gordon said with the Energy Events Centre attracting thousands more conference delegates, there was increasing demand for hospitality services.

However, with more people venturing into the CBD, the Rotorua District Council had to prioritise its CBD revitalisation project.

"We need to make the inner city an attraction in its own right so people stay and shop," Mr Gordon said.

A commercial building on the northeast corner of Tutanekai and Pukuatua Sts is set to become NB's organic restaurant and GelatAmore.

The eateries will occupy the ground floor of the two-storey office and retail building, vacant for two years following its refurbishment.

The building is being altered again to accommodate its new tenants who plan to open on October 15 and will provide work for about 30 full and part-time staff.

The restaurant and ice cream parlour are separate businesses but are jointly owned by Nick Kolsen and Nathan Flaws who recently moved to Rotorua with their families from the Waikato, where the restaurants are established in Hamilton and Cambridge.

Mr Kolsen described NB's as "like a Hard Rock Cafe, without the memorabilia".

It will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week and will cater for up to 180 diners. All its meat dishes, including beef and pork, are New Zealand products, certified as organic. That means they are sourced from farms which have to meet strict standards which reduce or eliminate the need for agricultural chemicals. Eggs used in the business will be free-range.





Mr Kolsen said it was a good time to set up a hospitality business in Rotorua following the opening of Rotorua's new Energy Events Centre and with plans to develop the city's airport for transtasman flights.

"'It's a growing town and a tourism hub. Rotorua's got so much going for it."

Tutanekai St is set to get another restaurant with Nando's Chicken being opened early next month by Raj Kumar, owner of Springfield Superette and Lotto, who has bought the franchise. Nando's has restaurants throughout New Zealand, including 13 in Auckland and two in Hamilton.

Mr Kumar said the Rotorua franchise would be open seven days a week and employ up to 20 part-time staff.

Two weeks ago, Sabrosa opened on Haupapa St, replacing Tastebuds Mexican Cantina with a menu inspired by cuisine from Latin America, including Mexico and Venezuela.

Owners Sarah Little and John Loeffler renovated the premises after buying the Mexican Cantina in May.

Ms Little moved to Rotorua from the United States with her husband two years ago. They considered opening a restaurant in Tauranga and Napier but stayed because of Rotorua's "lifestyle" opportunities.

Further south, Urbano restaurant opened on the corner of Fenton and Grey Sts in August.