Philippine Embassy successfully concludes first Filipino Restaurant Week in New Zealand
1. Ambassador Kira Azucena (center) together with the Embassy personnel and partner Filipino restaurant owners
2. Ambassador Kira Azucena together with the local media guests and Wellington-based social media influencers, partner Filipino restaurant owners and Embassy personnel
1. Ambassador Azucena handing the FRW give-aways to the guests
2. Ambassador Azucena during her opening remarks at the Press Launch of the FRW
3. and 4 . Social media influencers during the Press Launch of the FRW
5. The main course of the Press Launch, the porchetta from Little Manila
Special FRW Menu from the Embassy’s partner restaurants (Faithful Flavours, Little Manila, Sangkutsa NZ, Naman, Homecooked NZ and Lazy Juan)
Photos during the Filipino Restaurant Week from our partner restaurants
Wellington, 03 November 2025 – The Philippine Embassy in Wellington successfully concluded its first-ever Filipino Restaurant Week (FRW) in New Zealand held from 20 to 26 October 2025. The event brought together Filipino-owned restaurants in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin to showcase the diversity and creativity of Filipino cuisine.
The Filipino Restaurant Week is a cultural and culinary initiative that seeks to promote Filipino cuisine in New Zealand’s mainstream society and celebrate the Philippines’ rich gastronomic heritage.
The week-long event kicked off with a press launch held on 20 October 2025 at Lazy Juan in Wellington, attended by the Embassy and participating restaurants in the city. The press launch gathered members of the local media and Wellington-based social media influencers who expressed enthusiasm in supporting the initiative to introduce Filipino flavors to the broader New Zealand audience.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Kira Christianne D. Azucena highlighted that Filipino food is more than just nourishment—it is a reflection of Filipino identity and community spirit. “Filipino cuisine reflects who we are as a people, from the tangy depth of adobo to the comforting flavors of sinigang. Each dish is a celebration of history, community, and tradition, and we are happy that we are able to bring Filipino Restaurant Week to New Zealand, a country that values cultural connection and culinary exploration”, said Ambassador Azucena.
Participating restaurants were Nanam Takapuna and Homecooked Restaurant in Auckland; Lazy Juan, Little Manila, and Faithful Flavours in Wellington; Sangkutsa NZ in Christchurch; and Futomaki Port NZ in Dunedin. Each establishment is offering a specially curated pre-fixed menu featuring both traditional favorites and contemporary Filipino dishes, highlighting the balance of indigenous ingredients and global influences that characterize Filipino cuisine.
Complementing the FRW is the Embassy’s Chocolate Diplomacy initiative, which encouraged participating restaurants to incorporate Philippine chocolates and other native ingredients into their offerings. This special focus highlights the richness and global competitiveness of Philippine cacao, while also introducing patrons to distinctive flavors rooted in Filipino culture. From desserts crafted with premium Philippine chocolate to beverages infused with local ingredients, the initiative adds a sweet and authentic touch to the event’s culinary showcase.
The Filipino Restaurant Week showcased the rich diversity of Filipino cuisine, strengthened connections by the Filipino community with the greater New Zealand society, and elevated awareness of Filipino culinary traditions.
With its successful debut, the Embassy aims to make the Filipino Restaurant Week an annual celebration, expanding participation from Filipino restaurants across New Zealand in the years ahead. END