The Feed | The New Zealand Food News You Need To Know

It's that time of the week again. Get ready to feast your eyes on all the hottest food news from around Aotearoa. We’ve got the inside scoop on all the latest and greatest openings, collabs, events, products and more so you can spend less time researching and more time munching (because priorities, people).

For the first time in 125 years, the MICHELIN Guide is coming to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2026. If it’s worth a special journey for Michelin, it’s worth one for you too. Start planning your trip and discover flavours that tell our story... now.

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Check Out The Long-Awaited New Zealand International Convention Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau

Image credit: NZICC Private Tasting | Vicki Young

The New Zealand International Convention Centre officially opened its doors last week and the public can visit the brand new space this Saturday 21st February at their Public Open Day. With self-guided sessions, check out the incredible space ten years in the making—plus speaker sessions throughout the day from all the teams involved in bringing this exciting new space to life for Aotearoa events, culture and tourism.

We were very lucky to be invited to a private tasting to experience the current menu from NZICC Executive Chef Rob Cullen earlier this month, highlighting Aotearoa produce and the NZICC food philosophy. From creamy Clevedon Coast oysters, Ocean Speared kingfish and heirloom beets; to a showcase of Mapari Meats brisket, Middlehurst Station lamb and WithWild venison chorizo—all in a standout main. Choose from Marlborough’s No. 1 Family Estate and Fromm Winery, as well as Matakana’s very own Sawmill Brewery for local wine or beer options. Don’t forget dessert—with various textures and tropical flavours around chocolate from Weave Cacao (a collaboration between Raglan Chocolate and The Cacao Ambassador). It's both exciting to eat and look at, reminiscent of the beautiful outdoors—with intricate mousse-filled “stones,” chocolate “soil” and “sticks.” No matter the season, the menu is a proud celebration of Aotearoa kai and inu from all across the motu.

Get all the details on the public open day here.

Win A Year’s Worth Of Doughnuts with This Red Pocket Hunt

Image credit: Krispy Kreme New Zealand | Supplied

For this week only (16th-22nd February), Krispy Kreme is hiding 100 lucky red pockets inside their Lunar New Year ‘Lucky Dozen’ boxes. Each pocket contains a voucher for a free O.G. glaze, but only one lucky winner in Aotearoa will find the golden ticket for a whole year’s worth of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The Lucky Dozen has two limited edition flavours alongside their original glazed number—an auspicious red truffle glazed “Prosperity Fireworks,” complete with caramel and biscuit crumbs, and vanilla-filled “Fortune Lanterns.” Get your lucky dozen in-store at Tāmaki Makaurau shops or try your luck with delivery (select places only in Tāmaki Makaurau) here.

Ring In Lunar New Year With This Six-Course Chinese-Inspired Culinary Feast

Image credit: Lee Kum Kee x Onemata at Park Hyatt Auckland | Supplied

For the month of February, Onemata at Park Hyatt Auckland in partnership with Lee Kum Kee will be serving a six-course Chinese-inspired culinary celebration each evening. With a tasting menu curated by Executive Chef Brent Martin, expect all the aromatic Cantonese flavours from Lee Kum Kee’s sauce range, alongside all the colours and textures found across Chinese cuisines. From hoisin-dipped mantou (bao), braised paua with chilli crème on fry bread, a vibrant yee sang (prosperity salad) toss, to that Lee Kum Kee black pepper sauce on braised beef with wok-fried beans (a personal LKK condiment fave). Experience the menu for $128 per person from 2nd to 28th February by booking online here. 

Usher In The Year Of The Horse With Hennessy’s Huami Takeover

Image credit: Hennessy x Huami | Supplied 

From Tuesday 17th February, Hennessy is taking over Huami at Skycity Auckland for 17 days with a special Year of The Horse set menu, paired with bespoke Hennessy cocktails. Get ready for the Huami signature wood-fired roasted duck, along with deep-fried soft shell crab, Sichuan-style beef tenderloin, sweet and sour prawns, and seafood XO fried rice. Don’t forget to ring in prosperity with a light citrus dessert to finish. Set menus start from an auspicious $88 for two courses, or $129 for three-course private dining experience. Book here. 

Check Out This Multi-Cultural Afternoon Tea in Tāmaki Makaurau

Image credit: Bellini Bar in Hilton Auckland | Supplied

Pastry Chef Hiranya and her team have curated a multi-cultural sweet and savoury selection that travels from Sri Lanka, India and Hong Kong, for Bellini Bar’s latest afternoon tea offering, ‘The Shared Table.’ From Hong Kong-style coconut tarts, Indian Chikki (sweet nut brittle)-inspired brownie with vanilla cream, to Sri Lankan spiced oyster fritters with lemongrass aioli and sesame dust, to name a few of the nostalgic flavours from each chef on the menu. Available every Friday to Sunday, from $70 on Fridays, and $75 on weekends per person. Do add bubbles for an additional $15 per person. Book here.  

Head To This Wellington Wine Bar For Dumplings And Wine 

Image credit: Glou Glou | Website

Ring in the new year with dumplings and wine at Glou Glou in Pōneke, this Saturday 21st February. Learn the art of dumpling from their talented chefs—make dough from scratch, prepare your filling of choice (with vegan options) and then pleat them like a pro. Cook them off with the guidance of the chefs (we highly recommend pan-fried) and enjoy them with a glass of wine in hand. Tickets are $65 per person and include a glass of wine or beer on arrival with nibbles during the class, and all ingredients to make your own dumplings over two delicious hours. Then walk off your feast by heading on over to the Lunar New Year fireworks at the waterfront afterwards. Register for your spot here. 

Head To Martinborough For Dinner In The Vines And Under The Stars

Image credit: Ata Rangi | Supplied

Don’t miss the last of Ata Rangi’s Summer Sessions in Martinborough this Saturday 21st February, with their final event taking place beneath the stars of Wairarapa’s Dark Sky Reserve. Get ready for a family-style feast amongst the vines showcasing the best of local produce and special vintage wines from Ata Rangi. With live music by Sam Auger and a menu specially curated by Ant North (you had me at ceviche on fried wontons and saffron pannacotta), this is an event not to be missed. Tickets are $195 which include food, wine and music under the stars. Reserve your seat at the long table here. 

Get Ready For Modern Indian Dining With This Chef’s Debut Restaurant

Image credit: Aarth | Supplied

Aarth is the debut solo restaurant from chef Vicky Shah (Cassia, Sidart, Ki Māha) reimagining modern Indian dining in Tāmaki Makaurau. Translating to “deeper meaning,” Aarth is about exploring the history, emotion and symbolism in Indian cuisine.

Get ready for flavours and combinations like whitebait bhaji with lime leaf chaat masala, heirloom tomato salad influenced by the flavours of street food pav bhaji, crayfish tikka masala, lamb “and too many chutneys,” plus a nostalgic nod to mango lassi (but not what you’d expect, ft. mango custard and pineapple) and a refined, next-level Black Forest for dessert—to name just a few exciting things on the evening menu (they also have a dedicated vegetarian menu coming soon). We can’t wait to experience Chef Vicky’s fluid, modern and creative interpretation of modern Indian flavour. Open at 1/333 Parnell Road, nights from Wednesday to Sunday, 5.30pm to late (and daytime offerings soon). 

This Tāmaki Makaurau Bar And Local Distillery Have Created A Bespoke Gin

Image credit: Waiheke Distilling Co. x Bar Albert | Supplied 

If you’re partial to a London Dry gin over breathtaking views, read on. Bar Albert (located at the top floor of Voco, the highest hotel rooftop destination in Tāmaki Makaurau) has partnered with boutique, family-owned distillery Waiheke Distilling Co., to create an exclusive London Dry style gin—Bar Albert Gin. Eight botanicals have been carefully selected to go with the range of Bar Albert Gin cocktails created together, which you can only enjoy exclusively at Bar Albert from this month.

The signature cocktail created from the collab—The Tāmaki, features Bar Albert Gin along with the warmth of Mānuka honey mead, orange liqueur, plus Syrah syrup and grape juice to give layers of flavour and that vibrant dark red jewel colour. Topped with foam and garnished with fragrant rosemary and edible flowers—it’s a showstopper to sip on while soaking in the incredible golden hour views of the city. With Valentines (and Galentines) coming up, this cocktail is also part of the offerings—complete with bubbles and a charcuterie board too. 

Pro-tip: Gin lovers can also get the whole experience with their Sip, Stay & Sail package—and jump on the ferry and Eastern explorer bus to check out the distillery first-hand for a guided tasting and long lunch. Located in the Eastern part of Waiheke, the distillery looks out to stunning views of islands and endless blue water. With a cocktail spritz in hand (along with the best calamari and pizza fritta you’ll ever have), this is the perfect summer day out, before making your way back to the city to the sleek rooftop bar. 

Head To This Lunar New Year High Tea With Waterfront Views

Image credit: The Living Room at Park Hyatt | Supplied

Chinese-inspired savoury and sweet treats await at Park Hyatt’s The Living Room for Lunar New Year this year. Along with a complimentary mocktail on arrival and lucky red envelopes, the menu features brioche with chestnut and Sichuan Pepper to start, followed by steamers of various dumplings and duck pancakes. Move onto sweets like black sesame roulade with passionfruit and caramel, choux with compressed honeydrew, lychee confit and berries—just to name a few of the treats expected in their four course menu. Tickets are $80 per person and the high tea runs from 12th February to 3rd March (on Thursdays to Sundays, 12pm-3.30pm). 

Hamilton Cult-Fave Oat Bros Has Opened An Auckland Location

Image Credit: Oat Bros | Instagram

Any serious oat lover will already be well acquainted with Hamilton’s cult-favourite Oat Bros—famed for their ever-rotating, wildly creative oat flavours and the kind of community following most cafes can only dream of (yes, they even have a run club). Oat Bros has officially landed in Auckland this month, opening the doors to its first Tāmaki Makaurau outpost in Grey Lynn. Located at 37 Ariki Street, swing by for that post-run brekkie. 

This Restaurant Is Turning Into A Dessert And Cocktail Bar 

Image credit: Forest Scoops | Supplied

Forest has launched Forest Scoops, a pop-up dessert and cocktail bar. With clever cocktail flavours, their full drinks list and Chef Plabita’s clever combinations of sweet creations this is the go-to spot for post-dinner treats (and a nightcap). From purple kūmara ice cream with marmite caramel and rosemary sherbet, to a tall sundae glass of their plum and shiso sorbet that with jalapeño jelly and pops of amaretto-rolled melon balls, somehow took me to the childhood lolly bag aisle. There's also a few savoury snacks on the menu like their fries with seaweed dust and chilli goop, so you can have more dessert afterwards, of course. Don't forget to sip on an inventive cocktail creation like their hibiscus negroni, passionfruit and green tomato fizz with parsley oil, or pickled cabbage margarita. Open from 5pm, from Thursday to Saturday—and for a limited time only. 

Get Ready For Margarita Month And A Chance To Win A Trip To Mexico

Image credit: Rosie’s Red Hot Cantina Takapuna | Supplied

February is officially Margarita month and Rosie’s Red Hot Cantina is putting on a month-long fiesta across Tāmaki Makaurau, Mount Maunganui and Te Whanganui-a-Tara venues. From mango and chamoy, a crème de cassis ‘Berry Nice’ marg, to watermelon and lime with spicy tabasco—there’s a marg for every occasion (and all from $12). Jump online to check out the full marg line-up across Star Group venues, special events running during this month, plus the chance to win a trip to Mexico.

Cook Locally-Made Pasta With Aotearoa Grains This Year

Image credit: Monty & Sons | Supplied

Make it your (Lunar) New Year’s resolution to shop and support more locally this year. Monty & Sons are making pasta from 100% New Zealand-grown regenerative durum wheat from the Wairarapa. Using bronze-cut and slow-dried pasta making techniques, where their dough is pressed through bronze dies to get that rough surface for the sauce to stick to better, and then air-dried for 12-24 hours—this not only protects the grain’s nutrients making it nutritious, but gives flavour to the dough. Their packaging is plastic-free too—with the only plastic being the pallet-wrap made with recycled ocean waste. They’re supporting regenerative farming practices, reducing waste and building a better local food system. Their dried 500g pasta packs launched recently, both online and at select retailers (Farro, Moore Wilsons, Commonsense Organics and GoodFor) and through subscription services (like Wonky Box). 

Join This Local Foody Tour For A Walking Food Adventure

Image credit: The Big Foody at San Ray | Supplied (Photography by Babiche Martens)

A tour over a year in the making has landed on Ponsonby Road in Tāmaki Makaurau. 'Walk. Talk. Eat. Repeat. Ponsonby Road Food Tour' is operated by Elle Armon Jones (a.k.a. The Big Foody, who organises food tours in Tāmaki Makaurau, Pōneke and Ōtepoti), expect tastings along the best of Ponsonby’s food scene—from artisan ice cream tastings, Italian flavours, Asian-inspired bites, to the Ponsonby classics, stories from those behind the dishes, plus a bespoke bean-to-bar craft chocolate tasting at Miann. Tours are priced at $225 per person. Jump on the website for all the deets. 

Win A Pack Of Our Sweet, Sharp, And Creamy Conversation Cards

Image credit: Urban List NZ | Supplied

For when the cheeseboard is out, and the chat needs a little extra bite, together with Mainland, we’ve created an exclusive deck of 50 conversation starters—guaranteed to spark the deep-and-meaningfuls and the outrageous confessions. With only 500 packs up for grabs (plus a tasty $2K for one lucky winner), once they’re gone, they’re gone—so get in quick. Grab your pack here. 

Hungry for more? Check out the hottest new openings you need to know about here. 

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Main Image Credit: Aarth | Supplied