That’s the day the country’s best dining establishments will gain their very first Michelin stars, to be awarded in a ceremony at New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland.
Judges for the prestigious restaurant rating system have been in New Zealand over the past few months, visiting restaurants up and down the country, in order to select those worthy of the famous distinction.
The recognition is being given in Aotearoa for the first time, 125 years after its creation in France as a guide for discerning travellers.
The Michelin organisation says the first awarded Stars will focus on four of the country’s culinary destinations: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
The awards ceremony will be live streamed on the Michelin Guide’s YouTube channel from 5-6.30pm on June 30, for those eager to get their bookings in early for the awarded establishments. The ceremony will reveal the full restaurant selection, including Michelin Star, Bib Gourmand and selected distinctions, alongside individual Special Awards recognising exceptional talent and leadership within New Zealand’s dining and culinary scene.
“After nearly a year of inspections, we are proud to recognise the talent and passion shaping New Zealand’s dining scene,” Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide said, as the awards night was announced.
“While we apply the same standards globally, our inspectors are trained to recognise excellence in all its forms – from refined fine dining to simple, authentic experiences. Our inspectors have been impressed by the diversity, quality and authenticity found across the four regions, as well as the warmth and generosity that define cuisine in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
More than just an awards ceremony, the glittering cocktail event will be a celebration of local cuisine. As well as bringing together industry leaders, chefs, restaurateurs and media, the event will feature food created by internationally acclaimed chefs from the Michelin Guide community, as well as some surprise appearances from local talent.
Two exciting names taking part are Nobu Lee of NOBUO, the New Zealand-born chef behind one of Taiwan’s most celebrated one Michelin-starred restaurants and chef Michael Cimarusti of Providence in Los Angeles, the globally renowned seafood restaurant currently holding Three Michelin Stars.
The organisation first announced in November 2025 it would award in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2026, the the furthest the Guide has ever travelled to. The prestigious restaurant rating system is used in many countries around the world, awarding its famous star rating of one, two or three stars for outstanding culinary experiences.
According to the Guide, 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.”
The restaurant selection will be made using Michelin’s historic methodology, where anonymous Michelin Guide Inspectors evaluate five key criteria: The quality of the ingredients, the mastery of cooking techniques, the harmony of flavours, the personality of the cuisine and the consistency both over time and across the menu.
The expansion of the Michelin Guide to Aotearoa New Zealand, its first in Oceania, comes as part of a deal with Tourism New Zealand to bring the respected rating system here.
