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New Zealand will be featured in the Michelin Guide for the first time, showcasing the country’s food and wine to an international audience and helping to boost visitor numbers, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
“The Michelin Guide’s arrival in New Zealand marks its first expansion into Oceania after 125 years, and we are thrilled to welcome these culinary experts to our shores,” Upston says.
“With the first selections and potential star ratings due out next year, Michelin Guide inspectors are already on the ground, dining anonymously in some of our very best restaurants.
“Receiving selection into the Michelin Guide is a prestigious accolade, with its strong international following.”
Tourism New Zealand estimates Michelin’s arrival could attract up to 36,000 additional international visitors.
That projection aligns with TNZ research showing that trying local cuisine is the top interest among people considering New Zealand for their next holiday, cited by 87 per cent of respondents.
“Michelin represents an incredible opportunity for the food and beverage industry in four of our key culinary centres, demonstrating excellence and showcasing New Zealand on a world stage,” Upston says.
The inaugural Michelin Guide New Zealand will be published in mid-2026, covering four key destinations: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
“This announcement aligns with the hospitality industry’s recommendation that the Government explore the potential for the Michelin Guide to come to New Zealand, as highlighted in the 2024 Hospitality Summit report.
“We know our country has a rich and diverse culinary scene. It’s exciting to share New Zealand’s unique flavours and talent with the rest of the world.
“This announcement not only celebrates our hospitality teams but reinforces New Zealand’s position as a go-to destination for international visitors.
“Michelin describes New Zealand as an exciting gastronomic destination with exceptional restaurants. Its presence here will mean more visitors dining in those restaurants and enjoying all New Zealand’s hospitality has to offer – supporting small businesses, jobs and local economies in the process.”
