Michelin to unveil first New Zealand restaurant selection in June

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Michelin’s international director, Gwendal Poullennec, says inspectors spent nearly a year assessing New Zealand’s dining scene.

The Michelin Guide will announce its first New Zealand restaurant selection at a ceremony in Auckland next month, marking the guide’s debut in Oceania.

The inaugural Michelin Guide Restaurant Ceremony will be held on June 30 at the New Zealand International Convention Centre. It is the furthest the guide has ever expanded and will cover restaurants in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

Michelin’s international director, Gwendal Poullennec, said inspectors had spent nearly a year assessing New Zealand’s dining scene.

“We are proud to recognise the talent and passion shaping New Zealand’s dining scene,” he said. “While we apply the same standards globally, our inspectors are trained to recognise excellence in all its forms – from refined fine dining to simple, authentic experiences. Our inspectors have been impressed by the diversity, quality and authenticity found across the four regions, as well as the warmth and generosity that define cuisine in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

The ceremony will reveal the full list of Michelin Stars, Bib Gourmands, other distinctions and a set of Special Awards recognising individual talent and leadership in the sector. The event will be livestreamed on the guide’s YouTube channel.

Industry leaders, chefs and restaurateurs from New Zealand and abroad are expected to attend, with organisers describing the evening as a milestone in the evolution of the country’s culinary identity.

Following the announcement, guests will attend a culinary showcase featuring international Michelin‑recognised chefs alongside local talent. Among those appearing are Nobu Lee, the New Zealand‑born chef behind Taiwan’s one‑star restaurant NOBUO, and Michael Cimarusti, chef of three‑star seafood restaurant Providence in Los Angeles.