For the first time in 125 years the Michelin guide will include restaurants from Queenstown, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in an inaugural New Zealand edition, to be released next year.
Upston said the new guide was estimated to bring up 36,000 more international visitors to the country.
"Receiving selection into the Michelin Guide is a prestigious accolade, with its strong international following.
"That's reinforced by Tourism NZ research which rates 'trying local cuisine' as the number one audience interest among people actively considering New Zealand for their next holiday."
The move was supported by a $6.3 million contribution from the International Visitor Levy and Tourism New Zealand baseline funding, RNZ reports.
"Michelin describes New Zealand as an exciting gastronomic destination, with exceptional restaurants," the minister 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, supporting jobs and supporting local economies in the process."
Earlier this year, Queenstown fine dining restaurant Amisfield was named in the top 100 restaurants in the world.
The Lake Hayes establishment is the first New Zealand restaurant to make the extended 51-100 list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. The restaurant and winery placed 99th on the list.
It was also named the third best international restaurant in the world in Food & Wine magazine's Global Tastemakers Awards in April.
The Restaurant Association welcomed today’s announcement, calling the inclusion a landmark moment for the hospitality industry and a recognition of the world-class dining experiences New Zealand restaurants create every day.
“This is an incredible moment for our sector, and one that will inspire many operators to continue lifting the bar for hospitality in New Zealand,” chief executive Marisa Bidois said.
“For years, we’ve known that our food, talent, and hospitality culture can stand proudly on the world stage. The Michelin Guide’s arrival confirms what locals and international visitors already tell us, that New Zealand is home to some of the most exciting, innovative and high-quality dining experiences in the world.”
The association has been a long-time advocate for bringing the guide to New Zealand.
“Over the past several years, we have engaged with government agencies, tourism leaders and industry stakeholders to highlight the value a Michelin Guide could bring to our hospitality sector and our food story internationally.
“We have consistently championed this opportunity through our policy work, industry forums and strategic discussions, and are thrilled to see this vision realised for our culinary community.”
- RNZ and Allied Media
