The Michelin Guide will launch in Oceania mid-next year, featuring restaurants from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown.

Michelin inspectors are already in the country conducting anonymous visits to assess restaurants that best represent each city’s culinary identity.

“The country offers a rich and diverse culinary landscape shaped by Māori heritage, Pacific influences, and a new generation of chefs who champion local produce with creativity and passion,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide.

Restaurants will be evaluated against five universal criteria: the quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavours, the personality of the cuisine, and consistency over time and across the menu.

Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Louise Upston welcomed the announcement, describing the launch as a milestone for the country’s F&B industry.

“It celebrates the incredible dedication and talent of the people who bring our food and beverage experiences to life every day,” she said.

Founded in 1900 by the Michelin tyre company, the Michelin Guide has become one of the world’s most respected culinary authorities, recognising exceptional restaurants and promoting gastronomic tourism across more than 40 destinations worldwide.