Finalists in 2026 Hospitality NZ Awards for Excellence

The finalists for the 2026 LION Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence have been announced.

The Awards celebrate the people, businesses and teams raising the bar across the hospitality and accommodation sectors in Aotearoa and will be presented over two evenings at HNZ26 Conference in Rotorua on 23 and 24 June.

The People’s Awards for Excellence recognises outstanding individuals, from emerging talent and inspirational leaders.

The LION Hospitality Business Awards will spotlight venues who are setting the standard in innovation, sustainability, customer experience, and overall excellence.

The public now has the opportunity to vote on their favourite finalist for the People’s Choice Awards.

2026 Finalists include:

Best bar

·       1866 Speakeasy Bar (at The Clements Hotel Cambridge)

·       Bloody Mary’s at Rydges Latimer Christchurch

·       Kong

·       Little Blackwood

·       Mix'd Cocktail Bar

·       Moon Under Water

·       Rambler

·       The White Swan Country Hotel

·       Tipsy Oyster Tapas and Bar

 
Best destination venue

·       Botswana Butchery Queenstown

·       Craggy Range

·       Mangapapa Hotel

·       Schnappa Rock

·       The White Swan Country Hotel

·       Wharekauhau Country Estate

Best restaurant

 ·       Casa Publica

·       Craggy Range Restaurant

·       King of Snake

·       Kingi

·       Manu Restaurant

·       MASU by Nic Watt - SkyCity Auckland

·       TALA

·       Tipsy Oyster Tapas and Bar

W: See the full list of finalists online at hospitality.org.nz