Cup runneth over for Viaduct bar staff

By ALAN PERROTT

A rush of bar and restaurant work around the Viaduct Harbour because of the America's Cup is pushing up wages and leading to shortages in other parts of Auckland and the North Island.

Venue owners around the Viaduct report a steady stream of foreigners and out-of-town New Zealanders seeking bar work during the cup regatta, draining staff from throughout the country and the rest of Auckland City as venues gear up for the expected summer rush.

Restaurant owners told the Herald they were paying top wages to attract the best workers.

Typical among those chasing work is Cinzie Iezzi, a 29-year-old Italian holidaying in New Zealand with her fiance. The pair arrived a month ago and headed to the basin for work.

Her first stop was Milano and within minutes she was offered a work trial.

But like many of the visitors, she is not staying long and several venues report regular staff turnover.

"We won't be here too long," said Ms Iezzi.

"I don't particularly like Auckland. If you're wanting to travel and you come from a city the worst place you can be is another city."

A spokeswoman for Queen Street Backpackers said the usual summer rush was heavier and earlier this year.

"As soon as they arrive they ask where the Viaduct is and then take off looking for work." Soul Bar and Bistro already has 103 staff even though peak time for the Viaduct is still several weeks away.

Owner Judith Tabron estimates about 10 different nationalities are represented among the staff.

Soul has advertised several times for new people as it prefers workers who are prepared to stick around for at least six months.

They are also involved in the bidding war among top venues for specialist staff. Mrs Tabron says there is a shortage of well-qualified New Zealand bar and waiting staff.

Her venue is paying above average rates for good staff, not only to attract the best but also as a top-up to cover transport costs because of the lack of parking.

There is no shortage of recruits at nearby Degree either.

A staff member said they had a high stack of application forms. The only difficulty was ensuring recruits had work permits and tax numbers.

But the regular foot traffic is bad news for recruitment agencies who find themselves left on the sidelines.

Laura Rogerson, national sales manager for Adeeco, said they were getting daily inquiries about the Viaduct at their 14 branches throughout the country and calls from as far as London.

But with job-hunters approaching employers directly and an increase in the number of caterers using their own staff, agency services are not in high demand.

The steady flow heading to the Viaduct is now causing headaches in other areas.

A Hamilton Adeeco representative said there were no unemployed hospitality workers left in the Waikato area. Those not heading to Auckland have been swallowed up by Hamilton's newly opened casino.

It means harvest time for those with the best qualifications.

"It is always incredibly difficult to get trained staff and they were really coining the dollars during the last regatta," said Ms Rogerson. "These people can get very good money for what they are doing."

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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