New Zealand has outpaced Australia - in securing its own Michelin Guide

Tourism NZ is spending 6.3 million-dollars to bring the world-renowned rating system to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown mid-next year.

The Guide operates in dozens of countries, but not yet across the ditch.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon says we like beating Australians in anything.

He claims we have a stronger hospitality sector - and the more Michelin stars we get before them, the better