Wellington fine dining restaurant Hiakai, internationally recognised for its gourmet take on Māori cuisine, is set to close next month.
The restaurant's owners announced the news on Facebook.
"It's the end of an era. Our restaurant in Te Whanganui-a-Tara is closing in March."
However, the restaurant "is evolving, not coming to an end", the post teased.
Hiakai was founded as a series of pop-ups by chef Monique Fiso in 2016, before a permanent venue opened in 2018.
It then shot to further prominence with the publication of a cookbook in 2020.
"Hiakai began with a simple kaupapa to explore Māori and Pasifika ingredients and cuisine," the announcement said.
"From there, we have received international acclaim, significantly impacted the dining scene in Aotearoa and been fully booked since the day we opened the doors.
"The world has changed since those doors opened, and so have we."
The decision to close came amid a difficult landscape for small businesses, the post said, adding the landlord wants to sell the building.
"Every single day we gave it everything we had and so did our team. Now we are ready for change," the announcement said.
"At a time of unprecedented global food crises, we want to be part of the solutions.
"We have a wealth of ideas and projects that we want to bring to life."
But anyone hoping to rush in for dinner before the doors close it out of luck.
"In terms of reservations, we are fully booked until we close the doors.
"We know there are many people that wanted to dine with us and haven't yet had the chance.
"Please know that there will be opportunities in the future."
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