Dynamic wineries and an emphasis on fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients have created a uniquely Kiwi culinary scene that’s worth travelling for.
Culinary travel is on the rise, but it’s not just wine and food on the menu. These experiences provide a rich taste of local culture and a sense of place, helping you to better understand what’s on your plate.
Put your apron on and roll up your sleeves! Gather produce straight from the farm and create paddock to plate style dishes with Hapuku Kitchen(opens in new window) and Akaroa Cooking School(opens in new window). See you if you can perfect a sponge cake or pavlova at the Chelsea Bay Edmonds Baking School(opens in new window).
Turn dinner into a journey with a progressive food and wine experience, enjoying different courses and wine pairings across several venues. In Queenstown, Alpine Wine Tours(opens in new window) offers progressive dining experiences featuring local food and Central Otago wines. In Hawke’s Bay, Twilight Odyssey(opens in new window) combines dinner, wine and an evening journey through the region’s wine country.
A guided food tour is an easy way to discover local cafés, bakeries, restaurants and food producers while learning about the neighbourhood along the way. In Wellington, join Odyssey Food Tours(opens in new window) to explore the city’s food and coffee scene. In Auckland, Aucky Walky Tours(opens in new window) offers walking food tours through the central city, while Ananda Tours(opens in new window) combines local food, vineyards and producers on Waiheke Island.
New Zealand has a wide range of breweries, taprooms and specialist beer bars, particularly in Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Auckland. You’ll even find specially brewed ale at Hobbiton Movie Set Green Dragon Inn, in Matamata. On the West Coast the Monteiths Brewery offer a behind the scenes brewing tour and the restaurant serves up hearty pub food next to a roaring fire. For a more traditional beer visit the Tui Brewery(opens in new window) in Mangatainoka.
New Zealand’s world-famous Mānuka honey is known for its distinctive flavour and is used in food, drinks, wellness products and skincare. It also makes a popular take-home souvenir. Visit Huka Honey Hive in Taupō for tastings and a relaxed look at how honey is made, or explore Comvita Wellness Lab in Auckland for interactive displays, research stories and Mānuka honey tastings. In Wairarapa, Greytown Honey offers a hands-on beekeeping experience where you can suit up, see a real hive and taste local honey. At Arataki Honey Visitor Centre in Hawke’s Bay, you can see live bees, sample a range of Arataki honey and browse the on-site gift shop.
A hāngī is a traditional Māori method of cooking food using heat retained in the earth. Meat, kūmara and other vegetables are slowly cooked together, producing tender food with distinctive earthy flavours.
For visitors, a hāngī is often part of a wider Māori cultural experience that may include storytelling, performance and opportunities to learn about tikanga and local traditions. Find a hāngī meal at Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village, Te Puia or at Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
