The Restaurant Association said the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide to local shores was an incredible moment for the sector.
The Restaurant Association has welcomed the announcement that the world-renowned MICHELIN Guide will launch in New Zealand, calling it a landmark moment for the hospitality industry and a recognition of the world-class dining experiences New Zealand restaurants create every day.
“This is an incredible moment for our sector, and one that will inspire many operators to continue lifting the bar for hospitality in New Zealand,” said Marisa Bidois, CEO of the Restaurant Association.
“For years, we’ve known that our food, talent, and hospitality culture can stand proudly on the world stage. 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 Association has been a long-time advocate for bringing the MICHELIN Guide to New Zealand.
“Over the past several years, we have engaged with government agencies, tourism leaders and industry stakeholders to highlight the value a MICHELIN Guide could bring to our hospitality sector and our food story internationally,” continued Bidois.
“We have consistently championed this opportunity through our policy work, industry forums and strategic discussions, and are thrilled to see this vision realised for our culinary community.”
The Association said the Guide will be a powerful global showcase for New Zealand’s dining culture and culinary destinations.
“Our cities are already thriving food destinations, and our regional dining scene is incredibly strong. The Guide will not only shine a light on our most talented chefs and operators, it will put our country on the radar of destination diners from around the world.”
The Restaurant Association also has a key role to play in supporting those aspiring for Michelin recognition.
“We know many venues will be excited about how they can prepare for Michelin inspectors,” said Bidois.
“We will develop resources, tools, and educational opportunities to support member restaurants that aspire to global recognition.”
This will include industry workshops, expert guidance, international benchmarking insights and dedicated resources for hospitality business owners and teams.
“Michelin’s arrival is not only about stars, it’s a signal of confidence in the skill and creativity that define our hospitality community,” said Bidois.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate our people, attract culinary-focused travellers, and continue to grow our reputation globally. We look forward to working collaboratively with Tourism New Zealand to showcase our unique hospitality story to the world.”
Nick Keene, Hospitality NZ’s Interim Chief Executive, said Michelin’s arrival in 2026 further establishes New Zealand’s world-class hospitality and food and beverage scene on the global stage.
“This is a huge win for New Zealand’s hospitality community. 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.”
The move reflects industry aspirations highlighted at the 2024 Hospitality Summit, which included a recommendation to explore opportunities to bring Michelin to New Zealand.
“It’s fantastic to see a recommendation from the Hospitality Summit realised - we acknowledge the Restaurant Association and our spirit of collaboration. This is a great example of government and industry working together to promote New Zealand hospitality, and a reflection of the work of many to attract Michelin to our shores,” said Keene.
“The Michelin Guide’s arrival in New Zealand will help attract new visitors and support local businesses. It will drive innovation in our already innovative hospitality scene, support jobs, and encourage visitors to experience New Zealand through our food, beverages and hospitality.”
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