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Craggy Range has emerged as the big winner at the 2026 Lion Hospitality New Zealand Business Awards for Excellence, taking out the Supreme Award and two category wins at a black-tie event in Rotorua.
The Hawke’s Bay venue won Best Destination Venue and Best Boutique or Luxury Accommodation, alongside the Supreme Award, after also claiming the top honour two years ago.
Other major winners included TALA, which was named Best Restaurant, and The Hotel Britomart, which took out Best Hotel. Palmerston North eatery Little Savanna won the People’s Choice Award.
Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Kristy Phillips says the awards recognise the operators setting the benchmark across the accommodation and hospitality sector.
“These awards recognise the hospitality businesses at the top of their game and the passion, innovation and work ethic of those making these venues the very best in New Zealand,” Kristy says.
Craggy Range head of people and hospitality Kristine Kilpatrick says the awards reflect the work of the wider team in delivering high-quality hospitality experiences.
The Business Awards for Excellence were held as part of the two-day HNZ26 conference in Rotorua, with Hospitality New Zealand confirming the 2027 conference and awards will be held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland.
Full list of winners:
- Best Destination Venue, sponsored by Duncan Cotterill – Craggy Range
- Best Local, sponsored by Shift 4 – Sprig + Ferm Berhampore
- Best Gaming Venue, sponsored by Next Payments – Woodbourne Tavern & Motels
- Best Entertainment Venue, sponsored by OneMusic New Zealand – The Tahi Bar + Kitchen
- Best Bar, sponsored by Sky – Little Blackwood
- Best Café, sponsored by Bidfood – odd saint
- Best Restaurant, sponsored by Service IQ – TALA
- Best Hotel, sponsored by Mews – The Hotel Britomart
- Best Motel, sponsored by Sleepyhead Commercial – The Bealey Quarter
- Best Accommodation Provider (non-hotel/motel), sponsored by Both Brains – Wilderness Lodge Arthurs Pass
- Best Boutique or Luxury Accommodation, sponsored by Noel Leeming Commercial – Craggy Range
- Supreme Winner, sponsored by Tanda – Craggy Range
- People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Dulux – Little Savanna
- Hall of Fame Inductee, sponsored by LION – Marty Fuller
