Can Michelin stars save New Zealand’s struggling restaurant industry?

New Zealand’s hospitality scene feels like it’s at a crossroads.  On one hand, cafés, bars and restaurants are battling a brutal mix of rising costs, mounting debts and changing consumer habits.   Venues are closing, owners are exhausted, and many are wondering how much longer they can hang on.  On the other, Aotearoa has just taken a historic step onto the global culinary stage, with the launch of its first ever Michelin Guide and Kiwi restaurants receiving coveted stars.   It’s a moment that could reshape tourism, attract high‑value visitors, and shine a new spotlight on the talent in our kitchens.  Today on The Front Page, Hospitality NZ’s Kristy Phillips is with us to talk about how tough things really are, what the Michelin Guide could mean for the sector, and whether there is genuine light at the end of the tunnel for New Zealand hospitality. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.