Tauranga hospo businesses call out footpath fees

Hospitality business in Tauranga are crying foul over a newly enforced licence fee for outdoor dining areas set up on footpaths. Changes to rules mean businesses wanting to use the footpath must pay an annual charge based on the size of the area and the zone in central Tauranga or Mount Maunganui. The council has waived charges for the rest of the year and offered an 80 percent rebate with no administration fee for the first half of 2025 to reflect "difficult trading conditions" in the city. Charlotte Cook speaks to Veronica de Oliveira, owner of Black Orchid Collective cafe and tattoo shop on Prince Ave, Mount Maunganui.