Michelin Guide expands to NZ for the first time

New Zealand’s dining scene is about to join one of the most exclusive clubs in global gastronomy.

After more than a century of awarding stars to the world’s best restaurants, the Michelin Guide is officially coming to New Zealand - its first expansion into Oceania.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says the move will showcase the country’s food and wine to a global audience while boosting visitor numbers and economic growth.

“The Michelin Guide’s arrival in New Zealand marks its first expansion into Oceania after 125 years,” she said.

“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.”

The Government estimates Michelin’s arrival could bring up to 36,000 additional international visitors, with “trying local cuisine” ranked as the number-one motivator for travellers considering New Zealand.

International director Gwendal Poullennec told 1News the move reflects how far New Zealand’s culinary scene has come and how closely Michelin’s inspectors have been watching.

“It’s a giant leap for the Michelin Guide,” he said. “Never before have we travelled so far, and New Zealand will be the first selection for Oceania.”

He revealed the inaugural New Zealand edition will launch mid-2026, covering Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown - cities already visited by the guide’s famously anonymous inspectors.

“Inspectors have been working in New Zealand for a couple of years now,” he said.

“They’ve been following the emergence of new restaurants and trends, assessing the dynamism, and we believe New Zealand is a very promising culinary scene.”

Poullennec says the country’s unique flavours and sense of place have impressed inspectors.

“What really impressed our inspectors is the predominance of local culinary style in the cuisine, with deep cultural heritage, indigenous influences, and a very modern twist,” he said.

He emphasised that New Zealand’s authenticity and diversity are what make it stand out on the global stage.

“New Zealand has a specific identity and indigenous heritage reflected in its cuisine,” he said. “This authenticity is key for the Michelin Guide. It’s what makes a destination worth travelling for, because it leads to memorable experiences.”

Poullennec says inclusion in the Michelin Guide can transform not only restaurants but entire destinations.

“For restaurants, it can be a game-changer - but it can also be a life-changer for the people working in the industry,” he said.

“For chefs, it’s worldwide recognition. And it’s a catalyst for the whole local ecosystem - restaurants hire more people, earn more revenue, and that success benefits local producers too.”

The guide, founded in France in 1900 by brothers André and Édouard Michelin, started as a free manual for motorists and evolved into one of the most trusted global arbiters of dining excellence.

It now covers more than 50 destinations across 25 countries.

The Michelin Guide’s arrival in New Zealand is being funded through a $6.3 million partnership between Tourism New Zealand and the International Visitor Levy.

Upston says the partnership recognises hospitality as a key driver of tourism and regional growth.

“Michelin represents an incredible opportunity for the food and beverage industry in four of our key culinary centres,” she said.

“Its presence here will mean more visitors dining in those restaurants and enjoying all New Zealand’s hospitality has to offer supporting small businesses, jobs, and local economies in the process.”

For Poullennec, the guide’s first Oceania edition is about more than stars.

“We hope the Michelin Guide will be a booster, leading international travellers to discover hidden gems, and reminding locals how exciting their own culinary scene is,” he said.

“Chefs are the best ambassadors for their destinations and their producers. With New Zealand, we’re confident the world is about to discover something truly unique.”