2026 Lion Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence

This category acknowledges exceptional Accommodation, Food & Beverage, and Hospitality businesses that offer an outstanding total experience, where the destination is a crucial element. These businesses combine top-notch hospitality with unique locations or offerings. The best destination venue is one that customers feel is worth making a special trip for, or "going off the beaten track" to visit.

This category acknowledges hospitality businesses that provide exceptional service to their local community. Our judges are seeking a food and beverage business that serves as a genuine community hub. The business must be easily accessible, actively engaged in community activities, have a comfortable and positive image, and create a sociable atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and well-catered to.

This award category recognises excellence in Class 4 Gaming and/or TAB operations. The judges are looking for a venue that meets all host responsibility and harm minimisation criteria while seamlessly integrating gaming and/or TAB offerings into their establishment. By submitting this entry, you authorise the judges to make any enquiries as appropriate with your gaming Trust or Society and the Department of Internal Affairs.

This category aims to honour outstanding Live Entertainment provided by hospitality venues. Our panel of judges is searching for a venue that can showcase its success in live entertainment by providing a variety of offerings, including but not limited to DJs, bands, live performers, dance, and comedy. The best live entertainment venue is one that caters to both performers and customers. It must demonstrate excellence in providing top-notch entertainment experiences.

This category acknowledges excellence in Bars, Pubs, and Taverns. Our judges are searching for a venue that provides an exceptional experience for its guests, surpassing their expectations. A superior venue is one that combines various factors in just the right way. It
must embody the best of the best.

This category acknowledges excellence in cafes. Our judges aim to find a venue that provides an exceptional experience for its guests, surpassing their expectations. An outstanding cafe often combines several factors that come together in just the right way.

This category acknowledges excellence in restaurants. Our judges will be evaluating restaurants based on the exceptional experience they provide to their guests, which should exceed their expectations. Food, service, and ambience will all be taken into account. The perfect restaurant should have a combination of factors that come together in just the right way, making it stand out above the rest.

This category aims to recognise hotels that go above and beyond to provide exceptional experiences for their guests, surpassing their expectations. Our judges are looking for hotels that consistently deliver outstanding service, amenities, and hospitality, creating a memorable and enjoyable stay for their guests. Only the best hotels that truly excel in all aspects of guest satisfaction will be considered for this prestigious award.

Our judges are on the lookout for a motel that offers more than just a place to stay. A truly outstanding motel is the result of various factors coming together in just the right way, from the warm welcome at check-in to the cozy and comfortable rooms, and from the exceptional amenities to the attentive service provided by the staff. Our judges are seeking a motel that excels in all these areas and more, creating an environment that guests will remember for years to come.

This category recognises outstanding accommodation providers that are not classified as hotels or motels, including holiday parks,
campgrounds, motor parks and other unique stay experiences. Judges will be looking for providers that deliver a high-quality, well-managed and welcoming guest experience, offering excellent value for money through strong facilities, thoughtful amenities and
reliable service that create memorable stays for travellers of all kinds.

This category recognises outstanding boutique or luxury accommodation providers delivering a refined, high-quality guest experience.
Judges will be looking for properties that excel in personalised service, thoughtful design, premium amenities and a strong sense of place, creating stays that feel distinctive, memorable and effortlessly exceptional or unique.

The Supreme Award goes to the award winner who stood out the most from all our finalists and who exemplifies what it is to provide excellent hospitality in New Zealand.

The winners are determined through a public voting system, where both the members of Hospitality New Zealand and the community have a say in the final decision, with nominees chosen from the list of finalists.

The aim of this award is to honour true professionals in the hospitality industry who are dedicated to their profession, and who contribute to and inspire confidence in the hospitality industry. The nominee should have been involved with Hospitality NZ as a member or supporter/supplier for at least three years.

The aim of this award is to honour true professionals in the hospitality industry who are dedicated to their profession, and who contribute to and inspire confidence in the hospitality industry. The nominee should have been involved with Hospitality NZ as a member or supporter/supplier for at least three years.

This category recognises excellence in the Chef profession. Our judges are looking for a Chef whose attitude and dedication in the kitchen has contributed to the success of their business. The Chef of the year should demonstrate leadership, innovation and the pursuit of excellence.

The aim of this award is to honour a true hospitality industry supplier professional who is dedicated to their profession, and who contributes to and inspires confidence in the hospitality industry. The nominee should have been involved with the hospitality industry as a supplier for at least three years. The award is aptly named in honour of one of our industry’s greats.

This award recognises an individual working in the hospitality or accommodation industry who is making a significant contribution in their role. From front of house, duty manager, chefs, barista and bar staff, to the unsung hero in your business, this person demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities and is seen as an industry leader of the future.