- Michelin Guide to be launched in NZ next year.
- Anonymous Inspectors already on the ground.
- Tourism NZ a 'destination partner'.
Star-hopeful Kiwi restaurants, this one's for you: the world-famous Michelin Guide is expanding into Oceania for the first time, with a proposed launch in New Zealand in the middle of 2026.
The Guide, which is most famous for awarding its coveted Stars to restaurants in more than 25 countries to date, is already selecting restaurants in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. Michelin Guide inspectors dine anonymously, of course.
The expansion is being achieved with support from Tourism NZ, which is officially a "destination partner" of the Guide. “This recognition is more than a win for our chefs and winemakers - it’s a triumph for our entire hospitality and tourism sector," says Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Louise Upston.
The announcement of the Guide's debut in NZ follows the 2025 Michelin Global Keys reveal, in which the organisation recognised 19 NZ hotels for excellence in design, architecture, service and personality.
The restaurant selection will be made according to the Guide’s long-established methodology, focusing only on the quality of the cuisine proposed by the restaurants, which the anonymous inspectors evaluate according to five criteria: quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavours, personality of cuisine, and consistency over time and across the menu.
What Michelin Guide Stars really mean
The Guide has a system of awards. The most famous are its Michelin Stars, awarded to the restaurants offering the best culinary experiences. One Star is awarded for “high-quality cooking that is worth a stop,” 2 Stars for “excellent cooking that is worth a detour,” and 3 Stars for “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.”
Since 1997 the selection has also included the Bib Gourmand category (introduced in 1997), a distinction awarded to restaurants that provide good quality food at a moderate price.
The history of the Michelin Guide
It's all about fine food, but of course the Michelin Guide carries the name of a famous tyre brand. The Guide was created in 1900 by the automotive company to encourage motorists to travel more (and hence buy tyres more regularly...), with detailed maps and information on petrol stations, repair shops, hotels and restaurants.
Initially given away free, Michelin starting charging for the Guide in the 1920s and expanded its restaurant listings, which were proving the most popular part of the publication. It decided to employ anonymous inspectors to visit and rate the eateries. It began to award Stars from 1926, and introduced the 3-tier hierachy in 1931.
While some key regions retain printed versions of the Guide, it's now available mainly via a proprietary app.