INDUSTRY NEWS
Industry welcomes holiday trading changes INDUSTRY GROUPS have welcomed the changes to trading restrictions around several New Zealand public holidays. The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill, which clarifies trading and service restrictions across the four restricted trading days in the calendar year, passed its third reading on 1 April and received Royal Assent on 2 April. This saw the changes take effect in time for the long weekend of Easter. “This new bill removes confusion for our operators and their guests by removing operational restrictions put in place by a dated piece of legislation,” says Kristy Phillips, Hospitality NZ’s Chief
Executive. “Operators can now trade if they wish to do so. We thank Hon. Kieran McAnulty for putting the bill forward, and to MPs who have supported this bill through Parliament, introducing a meaningful change to how hospitality businesses operate across these days.” New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has also welcomed the passing of the Bill. “Before the changes, most winery cellar doors could sell their wine on Easter Sunday but not on other major public holidays,” notes Philip Gregan, CEO of NZW. “These changes expand this flexibility to other public holidays, including Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Anzac Day, before 1pm.”
“The other change affects winery restaurants and cafes. Previously, they could open on these public holidays but could only sell a glass of wine to customers who were dining, which came with additional requirements. These changes remove those additional requirements for dining and treat these public holidays just like other trading days. As always, wineries will be required to operate responsibly and follow any other conditions of their licences.” NZ Winegrowers says that these changes will allow businesses to continue to offer visitor experiences on these days and, in doing so, strengthen wine tourism.
Anishka Jelicich new CEO at NZ Winegrowers NEW ZEALAND Winegrowers has announced the appointment of Anishka Jelicich as its next Chief Executive Officer, starting at the end of July 2026. Jelicich will exit her current Paris-based role with Pernod Ricard as Global Director Responsible Marketing & Sales and return home to New Zealand to be based at the NZW head office in Auckland. Anishka Jelicich has more than two decades of leadership experience in the global wine industry across New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Europe. Chair Fabian Yukich said the Board was seeking a leader who understood the wine industry, could bring a global perspective, strong stakeholder capability, and strategic clarity to the role. “Anishka was a stand-out candidate for us with her deep understanding of the New Zealand wine industry, combined with extensive global knowledge and experience. She offers strong credentials in navigating complex international environments, a deep understanding of policy and trade, and a proven ability to build alignment across diverse stakeholders. “We are delighted with her deep connection to New Zealand and her passion for our world-renowned wines. She has a clear commitment to the future, with the strategic foresight 8 DRINKSBIZ MAY / JUNE 2026
Anishka Jelicich
needed to lead our organisation into its next chapter.” NZ Winegrowers says that the announcement comes at an important moment for New Zealand’s wine industry as it navigates a period of heightened global uncertainty, with a range of serious pressures currently facing growers and winemakers. Against this backdrop, it says the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer “...brings an opportunity for a fresh perspective, renewed focus,
and a clear, united vision for the industry”. Anishka Jelicich says she is honoured to be appointed to the role. “The New Zealand wine industry is globally respected, and it plays an important role in our nation’s economy and communities. I am looking forward to serving and supporting the interests of our members and working closely with the Board and the NZW team to support the industry through its current challenges,
opportunities, and positioning it strongly for the future.” The Board also acknowledged the outstanding contribution of departing CEO Philip Gregan, who will retire at the end of June after 43 years of service to the organisation. “Philip’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the modern New Zealand wine industry, while establishing NZW as one of the most respected wine industry organisations in the world,” said Fabian Yukich.