Tourism New Zealand announced its $6.3 million partnership with Michelin, which will deliver three years’ worth of guides covering Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, in November last year.
Back then, TNZ’s chief executive Rene de Monchy said any awards would be announced on June 4 – a date now earmarked for a Michelin ceremony in Vietnam.
The June 30 event will reveal whether any local restaurants have been awarded coveted one, two or three-star status.
It will also recognise a broader list – establishments with Bib Gourmand distinctions (representing great quality and value food) or those on the “selected” list, recognising good cooking. Individual special awards, recognising talent and leadership, will also be presented.
Michelin Guide’s international director Gwendal Poullennec said inspectors had spent almost a year assessing New Zealand’s dining scene and had been impressed “by the diversity, quality and authenticity found across the four regions”.
Tourism New Zealand’s three-year partnership includes a $2.5m commitment (just under 2% of its total planned annual spend) in the current financial year, with $1.9m of that drawn from the international visitor levy. A further $3.8m from that levy will be spent over the next two financial years.
The June 30 event will be livestreamed, with the award ceremony component scheduled from 5-6.30pm.