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Burger Nation 2026 Announces it’s Biggest Year Yet

Cartoon of a lively, animated pickle character with a wide smile, wearing white gloves and shoes, waving with one hand, set against a black background.

Grills across Aotearoa are firing up for Burger Nation, as the most delicious celebration of burgers, hospitality and food culture kicks off for 2026.

This year, 307 venues are taking part in Burger Nation (up from 210 last year), offering a record number of inventive, juicy, delicious burgers for Kiwis to taste, enjoy and vote on. 

The bigger-than-ever competition runs from 25 February to 29 March, with burger joints, breweries, bars, cafes, restaurants and food trucks, alongside steakhouses, smokehouses, seaside trailers and historic hotels, competing for category titles and the kudos of the Supreme Burger crown. Winners will be decided by New Zealanders, who can get out and try as many burgers as they can during the activation, voting for their favourites across four categories: Meat, Chicken, Seafood and Plant. 

“The burger is one of those great shared pleasures. It brings people together and lets cooks and chefs really show off their creativity,” says Burger Nation co-founder Nick Brown. “Seeing Burger Nation grow this big in 2026 is special. We’re bigger than ever, and have something for everyone, but the premise hasn’t changed: get out, support your local hospo spots, eat a great burger, and have your say on who’s doing it best.”

Among the hundreds of burgers on offer, Kiwis will be able to tuck into everything from Cardrona Hotel’s Double Beef and Frickle Burger, stacked with Taleggio and beef marrow confit onions, to Surf Shack’s Baja Bandito in Waihi, a flame-kissed steak patty layered with green chile and gherkin queso. Other entries include Twofold Brewery’s beer-brined chicken burger in Auckland, Sprig & Fern’s John Dory and paua seafood burger in Mapua, and Otto’s piña colada-inspired plant-based burger in Wellington.

“Burger Nation reflects the diversity of New Zealand’s hospo scene, from small regional cafes to well-established dining destinations,” says Brown. “This year, venues have wowed us by creating limited-edition burgers that run the gamut from classic crowd-pleasers to culinary genius.”

Each burger will be scored from one to 10 for Taste, Appearance and Feels by diners who scan the QR code at each venue, putting the power firmly in the hands, and mouths, of the people. Winners will be announced on 1 April.

Four graphic posters with the title "2026 Burger Nation Best" each featuring a different burger with the words "Meat," "Chicken," "Seafood," and "Plant" in large colorful text, all set against black backgrounds.