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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Head To This Independent Supermarket That Just Opened In Ōtautahi

Image credit: Kai Co | Facebook

Just opened last week, independent supermarket Kai Co by father and son team Shane and Ethan Vickery has taken the Aotearoa supermarket scene by storm, with lines out the door on opening days. By buying directly from local suppliers, they’re offering cheaper prices to the public with butchery, grocery and produce all under one roof (they even have a butchery service on site for specific cuts). Make your way to the big green building at Northwood in Ōtautahi to get yourself some bargain food deals. 

Get Your Fizz On With DJ FISHER At Mount Maunganui 

Image credit: Hard FIZZ | Supplied

Nothing says summer festival energy without an ice cold bevvy—and Australian DJ FISHER is bringing the vibes to Mount Maunganui’s new Bay Oval along with the launch of Hard FIZZ in Aotearoa for the first time. As the first country outside of Australia to get their hands on these zero-sugar RTDs, those headed to Fish’s show on 31st January will get to try Hard FIZZ in their lemon and pineapple flavours. The rest of Aotearoa can keep an eye out for Hard FIZZ at Super Liquor and Bottlezone stores across the country. R18, drink responsibly. 

Your Fave Local Tennis Club Just Became An Open-Air Lawn Bar Pop-Up 

Image credit: Club Heineken | Supplied

The Parnell Lawn Tennis Club has transformed into an open-air lawn bar, drawing from international ‘country club’ trends, bringing a sporty and sophisticated aesthetic to the summer afternoon social scene in Tāmaki Makaurau. Having hosted a number of epic private and public events last month, they’re back open to the public from this Friday 16th and Saturday 17th (from 2pm-8pm, as well as selected dates up until the end of this month). Jump on their website for updates on hospitality and entertainment offers during their sunlit afternoon sessions.

This Popular Care Bears Themed High Tea Is Back

Image credit: Cordis Auckland | Supplied

Make it high tea but with edible glitter and rainbows (of the cookie and jelly variety). Cordis is bringing back their Care Bears high tea for one week only from Friday 16th January (until Sunday 25th January). From scones and pastries to Care Bear-inspired desserts, grab a seat at the most colourful and joyful high tea in town (from $75 per person, including a welcome mimosa cocktail for adults, and mocktail for kids).

Learn To Make Pizza (And Eat It Too) At This Hands-On Workshop

Image credit: Cutie Pie Pizza | Supplied (Photography by Lewis Ferris Photo @lewisferris_)

Cutie Pie Pizza in Pōneke has announced fortnightly pizza classes at their newly opened Hataitai shop. The first class kicks off this Wednesday 14th January, where you can learn from O.G. pizza slinger 'Tommy Tomato' (if you were a big Tommy Millions fan from back in the day, you’ll understand how good these are). Geek out on pizza dough theory and make the perfect base—plus pick up some hand-stretching techniques along the way. Then top and bake off your masterpiece, enjoy a meal at the end of the class (with a bevvy included too). Take home more pizza and a recipe card to put your skills to the test. Workshops are $140 per person, jump online to book a workshop, stat. 

Get Your Hands On Limited Edition Matcha Doughnuts 

Image credit: Krispy Kreme | Supplied

Krispy Kreme has just dropped their matcha collection and for a limited time only (until 3rd February). With two new matcha doughnuts and three specialty matcha latte flavours—it’s a creamy truffle-dipped intro to the matcha hype. From matcha icing on their O.G. ring doughnut to a jammy strawberry filled matcha number, get your hands on these sweet green treats before they’re gone. 

Aotearoa-Grown Tea Has Made It To This Exclusive Global Teahouse List 

Image credit: Zealong Tea Estate | Supplied

Waikato’s Zealong Tea Estate was recently recognised as one of the most unique tea houses in Léa Teuscher’s ‘150 Tea Houses You Need To Visit Before You Die’ by Lannoo Publishing. Coming from the words New Zealand and Oolong (the first-ever tea perfected at the estate), Zealong is a must-visit when in Waikato. Once a dairy farm, Zealong Tea Estate is now home to rows of lush, green tea leaves over 48 hectares of certified organic land. 

Bring In The Lunar New Year With These Special-Release Wines

Image credit: Taylors Wines | Supplied

To celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse on 17 February 2026, family-owned wine brand Taylors Wines have introduced two exclusive Lunar New Year gift boxes featuring wines from its acclaimed St. Andrews collection. Each proudly adorned with Taylors’ bold and iconic seahorse emblem (after the discovery of fossilised seahorses in the Clare Valley family estate in 1969), it represents three generations of Taylor family winemakers—a visual expression of strength and grace, and a very auspicious collection to ring in the new year. Choose from dark plum and spiced mocha notes of their 2021 Shiraz, or their classic Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of cassis, blackcurrant and cedar. Available from select bottle stores across Aotearoa with prices from $69.99.

Kick Off New Year Resolutions With A Flow State

Image credit: Nomu x Liquid Lightning | Supplied

Aotearoa and female-owned brands Nomu Matcha and Liquid Lightning have teamed up to bring Flow State—a functional wellness kit to kick off 2026. Powered by nutrient-dense liquids to support clarity, balance and momentum for the year ahead, the kit includes a 1 Day liquid reset (featuring bone broth, cold-pressed juices and pistachio-cacao mylk), Nomu ceremonial grade matcha, bamboo whisk and copper tongue scraper for $140.00. Jump online to start the year with this soft reset. 

Bridge Pa Wine Festival Returns For Its 12th Year

Image credit: Bridge Pa Triangle | Facebook (Photography by Michael Farr, MiFarr Photography)

Head to sunny Hawkes Bay this Saturday 17th January for The Bridge Pa Wine Festival. With tastings from nine award-winning Hawkes Bay wineries, live music at every winery, plus local food faves like Paella A Go Go, Lot 2 Restaurant and Oak Estate Bistro—it’s a big celebration of all things Hawkes Bay food and wine in the sunshine. Get your tickets here.

Coronet Ridge Resort Debuts In Queenstown

Image credit: Coronet Ridge Resort | Supplied

Queenstown’s newest five-star luxury alpine sanctuary—Coronet Ridge Resort—has just opened its doors. Looking over the Shotover River, along with epic dining views of Remarkables mountain range, this resort has all the lush views as well as lush leisure add-on’s. Relax at their Roman-inspired day spa and outdoor hot tubs, head to the resort squash courts and then kick back at the private cinema. With only a short ten minute drive to Coronet Peak ski resort and the heart of Queenstown, make this your next soul-soothing getaway. Check out their rooms (and exclusive opening offers) here.

Hot Cross Buns Are Already On The Shelves In January

Image credit: Woolworths NZ x KidsCan | Supplied

Woolworths NZ is already in Easter mode, with hot cross buns on shelves nationwide ahead of Easter. Having sold more than 1.7 million in-store baked buns last season, they’ve decided to get in early this year—and continuing their partnership with KidsCan, they’re donating five cents from every pack sold to KidsCan. Having donated more than $85K last year, go and get your buns early this year for a good cause. As well as the traditional dried fruit flavour, they’ll be releasing other not-so-traditional flavours like the popular cinnamon-roll inspired number (a hit in Australia last year). Expect a mudcake-inspired bun and Cadbury Caramello bun to also hit the shelves soon. 

This Sold-Out Cookie Pie Flavour Is Back With A Summer Twist

Image credit: Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar | Supplied (Photography by Craving Limited @cravingnz) 

Cookie-slingers Moustache are welcoming in 2026 with fresh strawberry crème brûlée cookie cups—and for two more weeks. If you’ve had their popular crème brûlée cookie cups in the past, then you’ll know how good these are and the strawberry addition takes it to another level with that tangy-sweet pop of summer. Available in Tāmaki Makaurau only (sorry rest of Aotearoa) and for pick-up only, due to the custard centre. Pre-order online now before they sell out.

Cook Locally-Made Pasta With Aotearoa Grains This Year

Image credit: Monty & Sons | Supplied

Make it your 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 are launching this week, both online and at select retailers (Farro, Moore Wilsons, Commonsense Organics and GoodFor) and through subscription services (like Wonky Box). If you’re in Ōtautahi, check them out on Lillies’ new menu this week.

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 is arriving on Ponsonby Road in Tāmaki Makaurau next week. Walk. Talk. Eat. Repeat. Ponsonby Road Food Tour is hitting the streets on Tuesday 13th January. 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. 

Le Creuset Is Dropping Their Lucky Lunar New Year Carousel Collection

Image credit: Le Creuset | Supplied

On every foodie’s wishlist (including mine) comes the Lunar New Year collection to mark the Year Of The Horse in 2026. With a prosperous cherry-red hue, gold details and stunning horse motif, this special collection launches on January 2nd. Start planning your Lunar New Year longevity noodles and prosperity toss dishes, stat.

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. 

Urban List The Feed has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.

Main Image Credit: Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar | Supplied (Photography by Craving Limited @cravingnz