Nicole Buisson, Lightspeed’s Managing Director for the Rest of the World.
Despite a challenging few years, early signs from 2025 suggest New Zealand’s hospitality sector may be starting to turn a corner — at least in Auckland, where new data reveals a year-on-year lift in average spend at both cafés and bars.
According to insights from global hospitality platform Lightspeed, average transaction values are trending up so far this calendar year compared to the same period in 2024.
Cafés have seen a 3.59% increase, while bars are up 2.04%. Although the data is currently limited to Auckland due to system constraints, it draws from a representative sample of millions of transactions across hundreds of venues, making it a meaningful pulse check on the country’s largest hospitality market.
Nicole Buisson, Lightspeed’s Managing Director for the Rest of the World, says the shift is promising — but the sector shouldn’t become complacent.
“The hospitality industry in New Zealand has had to navigate a number of challenges in recent years, but we’re now starting to see green shoots of optimism, both in our data and in anecdotal conversations we’re having with many of our customers,” says Buisson.
“Hospitality venues add so much—both socially and economically—to high streets across the country. In Auckland, it’s encouraging to see that cafés and bars are generating more per sale in 2025 than they did in 2024. Considering that peak season is approaching later in the year, this growth could persist. However, cafés and bars should still be proactive, rather than sitting back and banking on growth.”
Proactive Strategies in an Evolving Market
This measured optimism comes against a backdrop of macroeconomic uncertainty. Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand held the official cash rate at 3.25%, marking the end of a string of cuts that had been in place since August 2024. While interest rates remain historically low, the long-term economic outlook is still uncertain.
Buisson suggests that hospitality operators focus their efforts on what they can control: delivering exceptional customer experiences and using technology to their advantage.
“Consumer habits and needs continue to evolve,” she says. “Operators should understand what their customers need, then provide more of the experiences that will bring them back time and again — from personalised service to more vegan and dietary-conscious options.”
Technology, she adds, is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s a core driver of efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Lightspeed’s research shows that 41% of hospitality venues credit technology with enabling staff to focus more on guest experience, while 47% say it helps streamline operations. From POS systems and integrated payments to inventory and reporting tools, many operators report that these platforms can save between 1.5 to 2 hours per day — time that can be reinvested into service, marketing, or staff training.
Looking Ahead to Peak Season
With spring and summer approaching, the next few months will be crucial for determining whether the early 2025 growth trends hold across the country. While national-level data is still pending due to the regional breakdown required in Lightspeed’s systems, the Auckland results are seen as a bellwether for the broader market.
“Cafés and bars across the North and South Islands should look at these Auckland results as both a promising sign and a prompt to act,” Buisson adds. “Customer experience and technology can be critical drivers of growth in the rest of 2025.”
As operators plan for the warmer months, the message is clear: the tide may be turning, but smart strategy and investment in people and tech will be essential to making the most of it.