top of page

NZ Diners Crave Connection Over Convenience Says Dining Insights Report

Dining Insights Visual Media

New Zealand diners are done scanning QR codes and waiting for robots to smile. According to the national Restaurant Association’s 2025 Consumer Dining Insights Report, Kiwis still want their food served with eye contact and a bit of human warmth. Service quality and consistency outrank everything else, from portion size to price tag, in deciding where people spend their $112 a week.


While digital ordering creeps into takeaway culture, the nation’s love affair with traditional hospitality is far from over. Only three percent of diners say technology matters when they choose a venue. That doesn’t mean Kiwis are Luddites, they’re just selective, saving apps for discounts and payments rather than table service.


Sustainability and low-alc menus are quietly shaping future tastes, but age splits the crowd: boomers lean local and ethical, while Gen Z scrolls for vibes on Instagram. What unites them is simple, a demand for authentic connection in a world that feels increasingly automated.


ENDS:

Comments


TOP STORIES

1/152
bottom of page