As Covid-19 sent the country and many businesses to a screeching standstill, Hawkes Bay-based Flagship Events was forced into survival mode to keep itself.
Tauranga’s central city has endured chronic disruption amid a massive transformation in recent years, with some businesses struggling to stay afloat and.
The owner of Tauranga’s Love Rosie cafe has slashed his staff by two-thirds to stay afloat and fears the spiralling cost-of-living crisis could still force.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Rebecca Ingram says the industry is “incredibly grateful” to the Kiwis who helped keep many businesses afloat.