Navigating Housekeeping Recruitment in New Zealand - How Outsourced Housekeeping Can Help your Accommodation Property Thrive

Camilla Yang • May 5, 2024

In the bustling world of hospitality, maintaining impeccable cleanliness is non-negotiable. For hotels and accommodation properties in New Zealand, ensuring guest satisfaction through pristine environments is key to success.


However, achieving this standard can be a challenge, particularly in the realm of housekeeping. Fortunately, outsourced housekeeping services offers a compelling solution, providing numerous benefits for hotels and accommodation managers aiming to thrive in the competitive landscape of the New Zealand hospitality industry.e for your new post

The Challenge of Housekeeping Recruitment


Housekeeping recruitment poses a significant challenge for many accommodation providers in New Zealand. The process of sourcing, hiring, and retaining qualified staff members can be time-consuming and resource intensive. Moreover, fluctuations in demand and seasonal room occupancy can further complicate staffing needs, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential compromises in service quality.


So, in a market where guest expectations continue to rise, maintaining high standards of cleanliness is paramount. However, traditional in-house recruitment methods may not always yield the desired results, leaving accommodation providers struggling to meet operational standards as well as adhere to employee payroll and Human Resource management. This is where outsourced housekeeping services emerges as a strategic solution.


Opportunities with Outsourced Housekeeping


Outsourced housekeeping presents a wealth of opportunities for hotels and accommodation properties in New Zealand. By partnering with a reputable provider, like ahs hospitality, businesses can access a pool of experienced professionals, teams and updated resources who specialise in maintaining cleanliness standards to the highest degree.


One of the primary advantages of outsourcing housekeeping services is flexibility. Unlike in-house staffing models, outsourced providers can scale their resources according to fluctuating demand, ensuring that properties are adequately staffed during peak seasons while avoiding unnecessary overhead costs during quieter periods.

 

Additionally, outsourcing housekeeping services allows accommodation properties to tap into specialised expertise. At ahs hospitality, we employ the ideal candidate with the right qualities and skills to deliver high standards and invest in training to ensure they are up to date with industry-leading cleaning techniques and health and safety protocols.


You can also be ensured that our New Zealand outsourced housekeeping teams across both islands are well-equipped to meet the unique needs and preferences of each property they serve. They are supported with ahs hospitality’s own dedicated Human Resources, Marketing, Legal, and Safety and Performance teams which ensures a comprehensive support network for each of our hotel partners.


Moreover, outsourcing housekeeping services can yield significant cost savings for accommodation providers. By engaging a local New Zealand external provider like ahs hospitality, businesses can mitigate the expenses associated with recruitment, training, payroll, and employee benefits. Furthermore, outsourcing eliminates the need for investment in cleaning equipment and supplies, as reputable providers often supply their own tools and materials, reducing operational expenditures and enhancing overall efficiency. At ahs hospitality, our prices include all associated on-costs and operating costs.​


Recruiting the Ideal Housekeeping Team


When selecting an outsourced housekeeping provider, it's essential to partner with a company that prioritises excellence in recruitment. A reputable provider will employ a rigorous selection process to identify and onboard the ideal housekeeping team for each client's specific requirements.

The recruitment process typically involves comprehensive screening, including background checks, reference verification, and skills assessments. By ensuring that all team members meet the highest standards of professionalism and competence, outsourced providers can instil confidence in their clients and deliver exceptional cleaning services across all areas like room and public areas consistently.


As part of our recruitment process, our recruiters in New Zealand look for people who have:

  • An unwavering commitment to quality, showcased through attention to detail.
  • A genuine passion for the hotel industry, driven by a desire to create exceptional experiences.
  • A positive, can-do attitude, contributing to a collaborative and spirited team.
  • Physical agility and stamina, allowing you to excel in a dynamic role.
  • Strong time management and organisational skills, ensuring productivity.
  • Flexibility to adapt to varying schedules and a commitment to customer service excellence. 


Moreover, reputable outsourced housekeeping providers spend time and resources in ongoing training and development initiatives to enhance the skills and knowledge of their teams continually. By staying abreast of the latest hospitality industry trends, best safety practices, and technological advancements, housekeeping professionals can deliver superior results while remaining compliant and adapting to evolving client needs and preferences.


The Value of External Cleaning Services


Utilising an external provider for cleaning services offers numerous benefits beyond operational efficiency and cost savings. Outsourced housekeeping allows accommodation providers to focus on their core competencies, such as guest experience, food and beverage hospitality, and revenue generation, without being burdened by the complexities of managing an in-house housekeeping team.


Furthermore, outsourcing housekeeping services can enhance the overall guest experience by ensuring consistently high standards of cleanliness. In today's competitive hospitality landscape, guest satisfaction is paramount, and cleanliness plays a pivotal role in shaping perceptions and driving repeat hotel stays when in New Zealand. By entrusting housekeeping responsibilities to a dedicated external provider like ahs hospitality, accommodation properties can elevate their brand reputation and differentiate themselves in the market.


In conclusion, navigating housekeeping recruitment in New Zealand can be a daunting task for accommodation providers. However, by embracing outsourced housekeeping solutions, businesses such as ahs hospitality, hotel and accommodation managers can unlock a myriad of opportunities for success. From accessing specialised expertise and achieving cost efficiencies, to enhancing guest satisfaction and operational flexibility, outsourcing housekeeping services offers a compelling value proposition for hotels and accommodation properties looking to thrive in today's competitive New Zealand hospitality industry.


If you are interested in partnering with ahs hospitality to take your property to the next level, please fill in our contact us form here.


To get in touch with our ahs hospitality New Zealand team, click here.


Want to explore all our outsourced housekeeping services and solutions, click here.

ahs hospitality Commits to Workplace Safety and Prevention of Sexual Harassment

By Camilla Yang • 9 May 2025
At ahs hospitality, the safety and well-being of our people come first. As part of our ongoing commitment to building respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free environments across Australia and New Zealand, we are proud to share our strengthened Sexual Harassment Prevention Plan. This initiative is about more than compliance, it’s about culture. We want every employee to feel safe, supported, and empowered, no matter where they work. That means taking proactive, meaningful steps to identify risk, educate teams, and foster environments built on trust and mutual respect. Why It Matters? Sexual harassment is unlawful and unacceptable under any circumstances. It refers to unreasonable, uninvited, or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that makes someone feel offended, humiliated, or threatened. Importantly, it does not need to be directed at a specific individual or intended to cause harm to be considered harassment. Sexual harassment can occur between any individuals, regardless of gender, and can take place both in and outside the workplace, including on-site, online, or at work-related events. We understand that power imbalances and fear of retaliation can make it difficult for individuals to speak up. That’s why we’re building a workplace culture where reporting is safe, respected, and supported—and where prevention is a shared responsibility. What We’ve Reviewed To strengthen our prevention plan, we began by thoroughly reviewing our existing policies, training, and risk controls to ensure alignment with current laws and best practices. Through internal consultations and risk assessments, we confirmed strong foundational practices already in place, including: A comprehensive Respect at Work policy Equal Employment & Anti-Discrimination policy Anti-Bullying & Victimisation policy Workplace Mental Health policy Health & Safety Commitments Statement Behaviour in the Workplace training Anonymous reporting hotline Regular site risk assessments and inspections

Housekeeping Secrets: Create a Spa-Like Retreat at Home with Hotel-Inspired Cleaning

By Camilla Yang • 11 April 2025
April has arrived, and with it comes school holidays, Easter celebrations, and a well-earned chance to relax. If you're not heading away, why not turn your home into the ultimate staycation spot? At ahs hospitality, we know a thing or two about creating fresh, inviting spaces. Now we're sharing our favourite tips to help you bring that hotel-level luxury into your everyday — because you deserve a little self-care this holiday season. 1. Clear the Clutter The first step to creating a peaceful, spa-like atmosphere at home is simplicity. Hotels and Spas achieve that calming effect with clean surfaces, neatly folded towels, and minimal visual clutter. Start by doing a quick reset in your bedroom or bathroom — clear the countertops, fold blankets, and put things back in their place. A tidy space instantly feels more luxurious and inviting.

Adapting to New Zealand’s Shoulder Season: Effective Strategies for Managing Housekeeping Labour Fluctuations

By Camilla Yang • 18 March 2025
As New Zealand transitions from the bustling summer months into autumn’s shoulder season, the hospitality industry faces fluctuating occupancy rates that directly impact housekeeping operations. With fewer guests checking in, but an ongoing need to maintain high cleanliness standards, hotels need to adjust staffing levels and workflows to match demand while keeping efficiency high. Here are a range of tips to help you resolve the cleaning staff fluctuations. Understanding the Shoulder Season Shift The shoulder season is the transition between peak and off-peak travel, presenting both challenges and opportunities for hotels. With lower occupancy rates, this period offers the perfect chance to shift focus toward deep cleaning and facility maintenance in preparation for the next busy season. Staffing adjustments also become essential, ensuring a balance between operational efficiency and labour costs. Instead of seeing this time as a slowdown, hotels can leverage it as a strategic window to refine operations and optimise workforce management, ultimately setting the stage for long-term success.

5 Easy Tips to Keep Your Workspace Clean and Refreshing

By Camilla Yang • 16 February 2025
We get it—between back-to-back meetings and endless emails, keeping your workspace clean often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. But a tidy office not only boosts productivity but also creates a positive impression for clients and employees. At ahs hospitality, we believe a clean workspace leads to sharper minds and happier teams. Ready to refresh your workspace? Here are some easy and practical cleaning tips to help you maintain a clean workspace (and yes, we’ll help you keep it spotless too!). 

Housekeeping 2025: Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality

By Camilla Yang • 22 January 2025
Housekeeping 2025: Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality As we step into 2025, the world of housekeeping is evolving rapidly, driven by new technology, sustainable practices, and innovative workforce solutions. In this blog, we’ll uncover the must-know trends in housekeeping, revealing how they empower businesses to stay ahead in this dynamic landscape. Let’s dive in!
Auckland Skyline

Where To Stay and Play In New Zealand

By ahs hospitality • 18 October 2024
As New Zealand’s leading provider of outsourced housekeeping, we have the pleasure of working with some of the top hotels across the stunning North and South Islands, all placed near the country’s most iconic tourist destinations. Whether you're gearing up for a quick business trip and want to maximise your downtime or planning a well-deserved weekend getaway, we’ve gathered the best places to stay in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown - along with must-see attractions and experiences that are guaranteed to provide the ultimate New Zealand adventure.

How ahs hospitality can support your cleaning needs in New Zealand

By Camilla Yang • 3 October 2024
Whether you manage a hotel, student accommodation site, or commercial property, our goal is to provide professional cleaning services that complement your business operations and ensure your property looks its very best.

5 Signs Your Hotel Should Consider Outsourcing Housekeeping Services

By ahs hospitality • 21 August 2024
As the New Zealand hotel industry faces ongoing challenges, many hoteliers across the country are rethinking how they manage their hotel operations. With the housekeeping department a critical component in delivering guest satisfaction, outsourcing your hotel housekeeping services can provide your hotel with significant advantages. Whether your hotel is dealing with staff shortages, cost efficiencies, difficulty finding skilled workers, or the growing demand from guests for sustainable practices, outsourcing your housekeeping department could be the solution you need. Here are five signs that your hotel should consider outsourcing housekeeping services. 1. Your housekeeping department is experiencing staff shortages or high turn over If your internal housekeeping department regularly faces staff shortages or a high turnover, consider partnering with an outsourced housekeeping company that offers a labour hire solution . As a hotelier, not only does this alleviate your need to recruit and train new housekeepers, but it also means that you have access to trained and experienced hotel housekeepers when you require them. This flexibility is also beneficial when your hotel is experiencing an unexpected high occupancy period, or when your housekeeping staff call sick. With experienced hotel housekeepers only a phone call away, engaging with an outsourced housekeeping company who offers a labour hire service will help your hotel maintains its consistent service standards. At ahs hospitality, hoteliers can engage our trained housekeeping workforce at an hourly rate for minimum 4-hour shift. 2. Your hotel is experiencing cost pressures and rising operational costs With inflation and rising commodity prices driving up the costs of operations for many hotels, it is important to review and manage operational costs without compromising the quality of your hotel’s hospitality service. Outsourcing areas of a hotel’s operations like the housekeeping department is often a cost-effective solution as it means you can budget for the service delivery, with the outsourced housekeeping company taking ownership of the recruitment, labour, equipment and other housekeeping operational costs, as well as management of operational performance. At ahs hospitality, we have the expertise to manage hotel housekeeping teams effectively and efficiently so hotels can concentrate on their other business operations. 3. Your hotel is finding is difficult to find skilled workers Finding skilled and experienced hotel housekeepers is often a difficult task. By engaging with an outsourced housekeeping company, who specialise in recruiting, training and developing housekeepers to work in hotels, you no longer need to worry about searching for skilled housekeepers yourself! At ahs hospitality, we have dedicated quality and training managers who will support our housekeepers in striving for continuous improvement in delivering quality cleaning services for your hotel. 4. Your hotel guests are demanding sustainable hotel practices Today’s hotel guests expect hotels to adopt sustainable practices and to partner with outsourced housekeeping companies that prioritise environmental responsibility. At ahs hospitality we have reviewed our supply chain and as part of our housekeeping practices, we now use sustainable equipment and chemicals . We encourage hoteliers to contact us to learn more about how we are continuing to take the more environmentally friendly approach to housekeeping that does not compromise on the delivery of service. 5. Your hotel is experiencing inconsistent housekeeping services If you are noticing inconsistencies in the cleaning services of your current housekeeping department, it may be an indication that your internal housekeeping processes are not working effectively. By partnering with an outsourced housekeeping company, you are working with a team with specialised knowledge and experience in managing housekeeping for hotels. At ahs hospitality we have strong standard operating procedures (SOPs) designed to ensure consistent service delivery for our clients so you can expect high cleanliness results every time.

Outsourced Housekeeping and More at AHICE Aotearoa 2024

By Camilla Yang • 9 August 2024
ahs hospitality is pleased to announce its Teal Sponsorship and attendance at AHICE Aotearoa, hosted by HM Magazine.
Hotel Housekeeper cleaning a room and bringing fresh towels

8 Top Benefits of Partnering with a Professional Housekeeping Company for Hotels

By Camilla Yang • 15 July 2024
In today’s highly competitive hotel accommodation industry, reducing operational costs whilst maintaining a clean and inviting environment is crucial to maintain a healthy stream of return guests. For hotels in Australia and New Zealand, partnering with a professional outsourced housekeeping company can provide numerous financial and operational benefits, as well as a strong peace of mind. Here, we explore the top eight benefits of partnering with a professional housekeeping company like ahs hospitality. 1. Access to Specialised Expertise Professional housekeeping companies like ahs hospitality have specialised knowledge , experience and expertise in how to run a housekeeping department effectively and efficiently. As an outsourced housekeeping company, we know how to maintain high standards of cleanliness in hotels of all sizes. We train our housekeepers in the best cleaning techniques, provide them with safe and eco-friendly products, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. 2. Cost Efficiency Outsourcing housekeeping services through professional housekeeping companies can be more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house team. Hotels can save on expenses related to recruitment, training, salaries, benefits, and equipment. At ahs hospitality, we will take care of recruitment, training, insurance, work cover, salaries, and housekeeping equipment. We have our own dedicated Human Resources, Marketing, Legal, Safety and Performance teams ready to provide a comprehensive support network for each of our hotel partners. Additionally, hotels can opt for hybrid or labour hire solutions during peak seasons, or high occupancy periods, ensuring flexibility and efficient resource management. 3. Flexibility and Scalability To Suit Demand One of the significant advantages of partnering with a professional housekeeping company like ahs hospitality is the flexibility in services we offer. By working with an outsourced housekeeping company, hotels can scale their housekeeping services up or down based on occupancy rates and seasonal demand. For instance, during peak seasons or special events, hotels can hire additional staff through labour hire solutions . Conversely, during quieter periods, they can reduce the number of housekeeping staff, optimising operational efficiency. 4. Improved Staff Management Managing an in-house housekeeping team can be challenging and time-consuming. Outsourcing this function allows hotel management to focus on core activities such as guest relations and strategic planning. Professional housekeeping companies handle all aspects of staff management, pay roll and administration that involves their housekeepers. This ensures a consistently high standard of service that will have a positive flow on effect to high guest satisfaction. 5. Consistency and Reliability Professional housekeeping companies are committed to providing a consistent and reliable professional cleaning service. They have established protocols and quality control measures to ensure that every cleaning task meets the highest cleanliness standards. This reliability is crucial for ensuring that guests have a consistently pleasant experience during their stay. Hotels can count on these companies like ahs hospitality to deliver the same level of service every time. Remember outsourced housekeeping companies are single handedly experts in keeping your hotel clean and tidy! 6. Access to Advanced Cleaning Equipment Professional housekeeping companies invest in the right cleaning equipment and products. By partnering with these companies, hotels can benefit from advanced cleaning technologies without the need for sourcing these themselves. This includes specialised equipment for deep cleaning, and eco-friendly cleaning solutions. Access to such resources ensures that the hotel is thoroughly cleaned and maintained to the highest standards. 7. Risk Management and Compliance Compliance with health and safety regulations is critical in the hospitality industry. Professional housekeeping companies are well-versed in these regulations and ensure that all cleaning practices adhere to the required standards. This reduces the risk of non-compliance and potential legal issues. Additionally, these companies often carry insurance to cover any injuries, accidents, or damages that may occur, providing an added layer of protection for hotel owners and managers. 8. Enhanced Guest Experience A clean, inviting and well-maintained hotel directly impacts guest satisfaction. Professional housekeeping companies like ahs hospitality bring expertise and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every room and public area is looking its very best. This high standard of cleanliness can significantly enhance the guest experience , leading to positive reviews, higher ratings, and increased bookings. In a region where tourism is a vital industry, such as Australia or New Zealand, maintaining positive guest reviews is essential for success. Indeed, partnering with a professional housekeeping company like ahs hospitality offers numerous benefits for hotels in Australia and New Zealand. From enhancing guest experience and cost efficiency, to providing flexibility and specialised expertise, these partnerships can significantly improve the overall operation and reputation of a hotel. In a competitive industry outsourcing housekeeping services is a strategic move that can provide substantial operational and financial rewards. Explore all of ahs hospitality’s housekeeping services here . Looking to partner your hotel with ahs hospitality, get in touch with us here .
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