Michelin inspectors dining anonymously across New Zealand in search of best restaurants to award stars for 2026 guide
Thursday, 6 November 2025
Michelin Guide inspectors are already eating their way through New Zealand’s top restaurants, dining anonymously as they prepare to award the country’s first-ever Michelin stars.
The international culinary guide’s arrival, announced on Wednesday by Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, marks Michelin’s first expansion into Oceania in its 125-year history.
The inaugural New Zealand edition of the guide is due in mid-2026 and will cover Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
“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,” Upston said.
The new guide was described as a “huge win” by Hospitality NZ interim chief executive Nick Keene.
“The Michelin Guide is one of the biggest names in global dining, and their decision to expand to New Zealand puts us firmly on the international culinary map.”
Tourism New Zealand estimates the guide could help attract up to 36,000 additional international visitors, driven by a global appetite for gastronomic travel.
Research shows 87% of those considering a holiday in New Zealand rate trying local cuisine as their top interest.
“Michelin represents an incredible opportunity for the food and beverage industry in four of our key culinary centres,” Upston said.
“It’s exciting to be able to share New Zealand’s unique flavours and talent with the rest of world.”
Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois said it was an “incredible moment for our sector”.
“For years, we’ve known that our food, talent, and hospitality culture can stand proudly on the world stage,” Bidois said in a statement.
“The Michelin Guide’s arrival confirms what locals and international visitors already tell us, that New Zealand is home to some of the most exciting, innovative and high-quality dining experiences in the world.”
The push to bring Michelin to New Zealand came from the hospitality industry itself, with the idea backed in the 2024 Hospitality Summit report.
What’s your favourite eatery? And does it deserve a Michelin star? Share your best eats in comments below.