The Wellington hospitality community is taking the reins of its premier industry celebration with the launch of the Welly Hospo Awards, an industry-led initiative that ensures the city’s annual awards night continues to celebrate hospitality excellence in a way that best reflects the local scene.
The Felix Wellington Hospitality Awards have long been a highly anticipated event, recognising the outstanding talent, dedication, and innovation within Wellington’s world-class hospitality industry. This year, the awards will transition to a locally organised model, with a dedicated group of hospitality operators stepping forward to lead the event.
“When it was announced that the Felix Awards would not proceed in their usual format, we knew we had an opportunity to do something different,” says Welly Hospo Awards organiser Dominique Fourie. “Wellington has an incredibly passionate and tight-knit hospitality community, so it made sense for us, as operators, to take the lead in running the awards. We’re excited to create an event that truly reflects our industry, our values, and the unique culture of Wellington hospitality.”
For years, the Restaurant Association of New Zealand has successfully led and organised the awards, providing sponsorship, securing partners, and hosting the celebrations. Now, as part of a nationwide evolution of the awards model, the Restaurant Association will remain a key supporter and lead sponsor, ensuring the awards continue to be a high-profile and highly regarded industry event.
“This shift strengthens what these awards have always been about—celebrating our industry, by the industry,” says Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois. “By handing the organisation of the event to local operators, we’re ensuring that it remains deeply connected to the hospitality community it celebrates. We’re proud to support this new model in Wellington and look forward to seeing it grow across the country.”
Both the Restaurant Association and the Welly Hospo Awards team share a singular vision: to uplift and celebrate the hospitality industry. This transition ensures that the 2025 awards—and every event in the years to come—will continue to showcase the very best of Wellington’s vibrant hospitality sector.
More details will be announced soon for The Welly Hospo Awards 2025.
