New Zealand is welcoming the Michelin Guide for the first time, showcasing our country’s incredible food and wine to an international audience, as well as boosting visitor numbers and economic growth, 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. This is a monumental moment for New Zealand’s chefs, restaurateurs, and food lovers, one that firmly places the country on the global culinary map.”
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide states: “We are thrilled to bring the MICHELIN Guide to Aotearoa New Zealand for the very first time. The country offers a rich and diverse culinary landscape, shaped by its indigenous Māori heritage, Pacific influences, and a new generation of chefs who champion local produce with creativity and passion. By highlighting the exceptional restaurants of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown, we hope to share with the world the unique flavours and talent that make New Zealand such an exciting gastronomic destination.”
Michelin Inspectors Here Now
“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,” says Upston.
“Receiving selection into the Michelin Guide is a prestigious accolade, with its strong international following.
“Tourism New Zealand data estimates Michelin’s arrival to bring in up to 36,000 more international visitors.
“That’s reinforced by TNZ research which rates ‘trying local cuisine’ as the #1 audience interest among people actively 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.
“This announcement aligns with the hospitality industry’s recommendation that the Government explore the potential for the Michelin Guide to come to New Zealand in their 2024 Hospitality Summit report.
“Today’s announcement reinforces that we will champion the hospitality sector and support it to grow.”
Mid 2026 Reveal
The inaugural New Zealand edition of the Michelin Guide will be revealed in mid-2026, covering four key destinations: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown.
“We know our country has a rich and diverse culinary scene. It’s exciting to be able to share New Zealand’s unique flavours and talent with the rest of world,” Louise Upston says.
“Today’s announcement not only celebrates our talented hospitality teams, but marks New Zealand 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, supporting jobs and supporting local economies in the process.”
Michelin’s arrival has been supported by a $6.3 million contribution from the International Visitor Levy and Tourism New Zealand’s baseline funding.
Hospitality New Zealand Interim Chief Executive Nick Keene called the announcement “a milestone moment” for the sector.
“The Michelin Guide is one of the biggest names in global dining, and its expansion to New Zealand puts us firmly on the international culinary map,” Keene said. “It’s a huge win for our hospitality community, supporting jobs, innovation and visitor growth.”
Keene noted the launch fulfils a key recommendation from the 2024 Hospitality Summit, where industry leaders urged government to explore opportunities to bring Michelin to New Zealand.
“This is a great example of government and industry collaboration to promote New Zealand hospitality,” he added.
Supporting Restaurants on the Journey
The Restaurant Association of New Zealand says it will play a key role in helping venues prepare for Michelin recognition.
“Many restaurants will be eager to understand what inspectors are looking for,” says CEO Marisa Bidois. “We’re developing resources, workshops, expert guidance and benchmarking tools to help our members meet global standards.”
Bidois says Michelin’s arrival represents more than just the pursuit of stars. “It’s a signal of confidence in the skill, creativity and manaakitanga that define our hospitality community.”
Auckland’s Culinary Scene in Focus
“This is a proud moment for the region,” says Annie Dundas, Director Destination at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. “Our chefs, restaurateurs and producers have built a food culture that reflects our diversity and connection to place. The guide offers a powerful way to share that story with the world.”
Dundas says initiatives such as Iconic Auckland Eats have helped showcase the region’s culinary creativity, and the Michelin Guide will further boost Auckland’s visibility as a destination for food-focused travellers.
“Now’s the time to book that restaurant you’ve been meaning to try,” Dundas says. “Once the secret’s out, those tables will fill fast.”
The MICHELIN Guide was created in 1900 by the Michelin tire company to support the growth of automobile mobility. Since then, it has remained loyal to its original mission: to settle in mature gastronomic destinations, to guide international travellers and local foodies to the best restaurants, to highlight world culinary scenes, and to promote travel culture.
How Michelin Works
The restaurant selection in Aotearoa New Zealand will be made according to the MICHELIN Guide’s historic methodology, focusing only on the quality of the cuisine proposed by the restaurants, which the anonymous MICHELIN Guide Inspectors evaluate by following five universal criteria:
– The quality of the ingredients
– The mastery of cooking techniques
– The harmony of flavours
– The personality of the cuisine
– The consistency both over time and across the menu
The MICHELIN Guide Restaurant Selection
The MICHELIN Guide conveys its restaurant reviews through an extensive system of distinctions, which are awarded to special restaurants within its full selection. The most famous distinctions are its globally renowned MICHELIN Stars awarded to the restaurant offering the best culinary experiences. One MICHELIN Star is awarded to restaurants for “high-quality cooking that is worth a stop,” two MICHELIN Stars for “excellent cooking that is worth a detour,” and three MICHELIN Stars for “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.”
Alongside the coveted Star ratings, the selection also includes the popular Bib Gourmand category, a distinction awarded to restaurants that provide good quality food at a moderate price.
The MICHELIN Guide is committed to maintaining the highest global standards in its restaurant selection process. Our team of anonymous, experienced, and expert inspectors conduct continuous and rigorous evaluations of restaurants. These evaluations are carried out objectively and independently, ensuring that external factors do not influence the results. This dedication to impartiality and excellence guarantees that only the outstanding dining establishments are recognised.
To learn more about the MICHELIN Guide history, methodology or selection organisation, please visit guide.michelin.com or follow updates on facebook.com/MichelinGuideAsia and instagram.com/michelinguide.