Coronavirus: Auckland city centre businesses, restaurants reeling from unprecedented impact of coronavirus
Restaurants and hospitality businesses are losing about $6 million per week, with the figure expecting to rise according to the Restaurant Association. We visited several Queen St businesses where operators say they are struggling to make enough to pay their rent and on some days, not even enough to pay their power bills. At the Atrium Food Court, which is normally crowded on a Thursday at lunchtime, more than half the tables were empty. "Our business is down by half, but we are still one of the lucky ones because there are some who are down 60 to 80 per cent," said Freddy Iskandar, who owns Waroeng Bali, an Indonesian food stall. "We used to make more than $1400 a day, easy, now we consider it a good day if we can get $700, and that's not enough to cover our rent and overheads." Iskandar says he does not know how long his business can keep going if the situation doesn't improve. Jessie Jiang, owner of beauty salon Amore in The Strand Arcade, said business was down 80 per cent from before the outbreak started. "Most of our customers are local Chinese, many of whom are not coming out while others are stuck in China," Jiang said. "Our other big group of customers are tourists and international students, and these also have become non-existent." A few doors away, Vicky Wei of Wonderland Fashion, said her boutique has hardly sold any garments this week. "Let's not talk about whether I'm earning enough to pay my rent, I don't think my sales can even cover the power bill," she said. Business has dropped by about 60 per cent from a month ago, and Wei wonders how much longer she will be able to sustain business. Money changers are also hard hit, as some report a 90 per cent drop in currencies such as the Chinese yuan and Korean won.
"People have stopped travelling and the customers have just stopped coming," said Esther Ye of DP Money Exchange. "Demand for the yuan and won is completely gone." Travel restrictions and flight cancellations to China and South Korea have prompted many would-be holidaymakers to cancel or postpone their trips. Some businesses, like Dream Salon and Size Gift Shop, at the MidCity Arcade have temporarily closed. A security guard at the arcade said Ryo Japanese Izakaya Restaurant has also been closed for the past week. Along Customs St, luxury retailer DFS Galleria has this week asked staff to take voluntary redundancy, cut their hours or take unpaid leave after sales dropped off with the coronavirus outbreak. The store sells luxury brands like Burberry, Versace, Prada and Tom Ford and relies heavily on the tourist market. And one of Auckland's oldest Thai restaurants will be closing at the end of next month after being severely impacted by the outbreak as well as construction of the City Rail Link. Mai Thai on Albert St, which opened for business in 1989, has been steadily losing customers since the CRL works began - but owner Bow Manoonpong says the sharp drop in tourist numbers was "the straw that broke this camel's back". "This is a difficult time for business in the city centre," said Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck. "Our priorities right now are twofold. We will keep promoting the many reasons to visit the city centre so it's top of mind for Aucklanders to support businesses here. "We will also be encouraging relevant businesses to participate in a recently announced ATEED regional marketing campaign to stimulate domestic and local travel over the next three months." Beck said the organisation was also liaising with government agencies to ensure the sectors most impacted could receive appropriate support. Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois wants the government to step up tax cuts and financial assistance to help member businesses. "We are fielding a number of calls from business owners in desperate situations, asking for advice as they face temporary closure. Many of these calls are coming from our ethnic restaurants," Bidois said. The government announced this week that it was extending travel restrictions for Iran and China, and also compulsory self-isolation for people arriving from northern Italy and South Korea. "It's not only restrictions on travel that are impacting on businesses but also through local diners staying home for fear of contracting the virus. And every day that passes, the impact from Covid-19 increases," Bidois said. "We estimate approximately $6 million per week is being lost by hospitality businesses, a figure we expect to rise if travel restrictions extend to other regions." She said central city centre businesses faced added challenges because of the infrastructure upgrades and environmental issues.
"The industry is facing a level of unprecedented challenges."
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Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.1% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.2% Critical thinking
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30.1% Resilience and adaptability
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2.6% Other - I will share below!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
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