The 2026 Lion Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence celebrate the people, businesses, and teams raising the bar across Aotearoa’s hospitality and accommodation sectors
These awards recognise outstanding leadership, innovation, customer experience, and operational performance, shining a spotlight on best practice and excellence across the industry. Each year, the LION Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence provide an opportunity to showcase success stories, recognise exceptional people and venues, and celebrate the strength, creativity, and resilience of New Zealand’s hospitality and accommodation sector.
Relive the celebrations - browse the 2026 gallery below
The winners of the 2026 LION Hospitality New Zealand awards for excellence
business AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCe
(proudly sponsored by LION)
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BEST BOUTIQUE OR LUXURY ACCOMMODATION SPONSORED BY NOEL LEEMING COMMERCIAL |
BEST ENTERTAINMENT VENUE SPONSORED BY ONEMUSIC NEW ZEALAND
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BEST GAMING VENUE SPONSORED BY NEXT PAYMENTS
WOODBOURNE TAVERN & MOTELS |
BEST ACCOMMODATION PROVIDER (NON-HOTEL/MOTEL) SPONSORED BY BOTH BRAINS
WILDERNESS LODGE ARTHUR'S PASS |
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BEST DESTINATION VENUE SPONSORED BY DUNCAN COTTERILL
CRAGGY RANGE |
BEST LOCAL SPONSORED BY SHIFT4
SPRIG + FERN BERHAMPORE |
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BEST MOTEL SPONSORED BY SLEEPYHEAD COMMERCIAL
THE BEALEY QUARTER |
BEST CAFÉ SPONSORED BY BIDFOOD
odd saint |
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PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD SPONSORED BY DULUX
LITTLE SAVANNA |
BEST HOTEL SPONSORED BY MEWS
THE HOTEL BRITOMART |
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BEST RESTAURANT SPONSORED BY SERVICEIQ
TALA |
BEST BAR SPONSORED BY SKY
LITTLE BLACKWOOD |
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HALL OF FAME SPONSORED BY LION
MARTY FULLER |
SUPREME WINNER SPONSORED BY TANDA
CRAGGY RANGE |
PEOPLE'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCe
(proudly sponsored by db breweries)
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FUTURE LEADER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY POMEROY
VICTORIA ALEXANDER (NAUTI PENGUIN) |
CHEF OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY INTERNATIONAL CULINARY STUDIO
WALLACE MUA (TRIVET AT JW MARRIOTT AUCKLAND) |
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ACCOMMODATION INDUSTRY LEADER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY GUESTTRAACTION
YURI OLIVEIRA (DOUBLETREE BY HILTON WELLINGTON) |
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY LEADER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY DB BREWERIES
NICK ROGERS (THE EXPERIENCE COLLECTIVE) |
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MICHAEL FRIEND SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY HOSPITALITY NEW ZEALAND
JENNI POWELL (BOTH BRAINS) |
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