Ovation Hospitality Services NZ has purchased the New Zealand hospitality services division of Downer EDI.  

The acquisition includes brands such as Spotless Catering, Alliance and Epicure, known for their event, corporate and retail catering services across Aotearoa, as reported by Hospitality Business. 

The client portfolio of the acquired business contains names such as Go Media Stadium, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Toyota NZ and Foodstuffs NZ.

The move will enhance Ovation's market presence and expand its service offerings in New Zealand. 

Ovation chief executive officer Patrick McCartney stated: “With deep community roots grown over many decades, it’s a natural fit for a hospitality specialist, and we’re excited by the opportunity to unite and reinvigorate this business under the Ovation brand. 

“Although we’re a new company, we have 55 years of hospitality experience to draw from, so are confident that we’ll set new standards of service for every New Zealand client. Whether it's nutritious dinners for hospital patients or faster food for footy fans, Ovation will provide a premium experience to clients and their patrons, no matter the occasion”. 

Ovation was launched in 2024 to drive growth for its parent company, Doltone Hospitality Group (DHG).  

Based in Auckland, Ovation seeks to develop a trans-Tasman Hospitality Services portfolio through both the establishment of new ventures and the revitalisation of underperforming hospitality assets. 

DHG group CEO and managing director Joseph Murray explained that the deal represented an important first step on a transformative growth path conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic years. 

He said: “The creation of Ovation on the back of the Downer NZ buyout is strategically significant for DHG, because we’re on a mission to build a leading, multi-faceted hospitality group, diversified across the three service pillars of events, hospitality services and tourism and retail.” 

In August 2024, Doltone House was named the exclusive venue management catering services partner for Sydney Town Hall after a highly competitive tender process.