Rotorua publican Reg Hennessy has appeared before the Epidemic Response Committee and didn't hold back telling them what he thought about the Covid-19 lockdown.

"Unless the government steps in to help commercial tenants and landlords through this we are heading for one huge shit fight," Reg told the committee this morning.

Rotorua was well represented on today's committee with Rotorua MP Todd McClay, Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey and NZ First MP based in Rotorua Fletcher Tabuteau appearing by video link to hear the concerns of small business owners from around the country.

The committee is chaired by National Party leader Simon Bridges and was set up on March 25 to consider and report to the House on matters relating to the Government's management of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Reg, who runs Hennessy's Irish Bar on Tutanekai St, told the committee he was most concerned about how businesses would cope with having to pay commercial rents for their premises without any income.

"The day we locked down - that was it for our income," says Reg.

"We don't want the landlords to take the hit, they have their own responsibilities, we want the government to help the landlords so we can all work through the issue together.

"The wage subsidy is great, don't get me wrong, but that only looks after our staff and there are bigger issues at stake here."

Reg says he wonders what the hospitality industry will look like when restrictions are finally lifted.

"Anyone who thinks it wasn't the right thing to do with the Level 4 lockdown has a hole in their head, but we need much better guidance about how we will get out of this and what we can do as an industry at the different levels.

"It will be quite sad to see some of us go as we are a huge employer and I'm really worried about the message that people have been getting - to continue to live and work at home, shop online, get food deliveries - the social contact people get in our industry is what the experience is all about."

Reg says it will take a while for businesses to "fire up" again and they need advance warning.

"We have to restock, there's fresh food, staff, deliveries, setting up social distancing, hand sanitiser and all that goes with reopening a business.

"But, at the end of the day, we are all in this together and I wish all of my hospitality colleagues the best and I hope we all get through this."

Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey is a member of the Epidemic Response Committee.

Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey, who is co-owner of two Eat Streat bars - Ponsonby Rd and Our House - said he shared Reg's concerns about the future of the industry.

He spoke to Rotorua Now after this morning's meeting.

"These committees allow us to hear the voices of the real people and business owners who are struggling out there.

"Uncertainty for hospitality in future is the biggest problem for our sector and it was right for him (Reg) to air those concerns.

"But I had to speak up for what the government has done for small business, especially in terms of the wage subsidy, that has been widely applauded by the business sector.

"But, whist workers have been getting help, employers are still looking for relief. This has happened to an extent with the government adjusting tax settings but that conversation (about rents and landlords) is very much alive.

"We have a budget coming up in a few weeks so all of that will be fed into it," says Tamati.

He says before going into full lockdown, businesses did get an idea of how to adjust their operations with hand sanitiser stations, registers to monitor who was coming and going, social distancing and cleaning protocols.

"We know what level 2 was like and that will be a big help when we finally reopen."

Also appearing before the committee today were Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Barnett and small business owners Emma Fraser of Allure Nail Station, Dallas Pendergast of Ladstone Glenfield Ltd, Alley Kelleher of Jones and Co Services Ltd, Andy Grey of Hanging Ditch and chiropractor Louise Blair.