Tauranga businesses are furious about what they label harsh outdoor dining fees following a tough winter. 

They've been waived for the rest of 2024, but in the new year businesses must pay an annual charge based on outdoor dining area.  

In Mount Maunganui it will be $150 per square metre used, which compares to Auckland, where the highest fee is $154 a square metre.  

Black Orchid Collective Cafe Owner Veronica de Oliveira told Ryan Bridge she understands the council wants to control the outdoor areas a bit since the summer is quite busy, but it’s also the only time of the year that they’re actually very busy. 

She thinks that a lot of people will rebel against the fees, and quite a few alfresco set ups will be lost, making the city quiet.  

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