WellingtonEvents
A close-up shows a person holding a bowl of noodles and lifting a forkful to eat, with greens and slices of meat visible in the dish.

New Zealand’s largest food festival is bringing a taste of the USA to the capital this August.

Visa Wellington On a Plate (Visa WOAP) takes over the city for the whole of August. Venues across the wider Wellington region also serve up a packed programme of food experiences. From immersive events and pop-up restaurants to the ever-popular Burger Wellington, there is plenty to explore.

A breakfast sandwich topped with a fried egg is served on a plate with a small salad and a jug of sauce on a light-colored table.
Two chefs work at a busy restaurant griddle, preparing burgers while plated buns and ingredients are arranged nearby in a kitchen setting.
A close-up shows a person using chopsticks to lift a dumpling from a bowl of pasta or dumplings garnished with herbs.
People seated around a table raise glasses in a toast during a meal, with plates of food and drinks visible in front of them.
Person biting into a cheeseburger topped with pickles against an orange background.

For 2026, two internationally recognised American chefs headline the programme. Burger scholar George Motz hosts a burger masterclass at The Opera House. He also joins the ever-popular Burger Wellington as head judge, tasting entries from across the region. “I’ve only heard great things about the latest wave of high-quality burgers in New Zealand, so I need to get there ASAP,” George says. He’ll also be creating his own burgers, teaming up with Wellington icon Burger Liquor to serve them at Beervana on Friday, 21 August. 

Pitmaster Rodney Scott, known for an appearance on Chef’s Table, is another legendary American chef travelling to Visa WOAP. He brings his whole-hog barbecue from South Carolina to Boneface in Upper Hutt for one night. This year’s theme is ‘Word of Mouth’. It highlights the role of community and storytelling in how people gather, share, and enjoy food — something that resonates with Rodney. “I never imagined this work would one day bring me to New Zealand. I’m excited to experience the culture, meet people, and cook the same way we do back home,” Rodney says. “That tradition has been passed through generations in my family. It’s great to see those same ideas of storytelling, connection, and community celebrated through food.”

A plate held in two hands shows a burger alongside fries and a small cup of dipping sauce.

The French Connection burger at Arborist Rooftop Bar & Eatery.

The festival is run by the Wellington Culinary Events Trust, a not-for-profit organisation that supports the region’s hospitality sector. Festival director Beth Brash says Visa WOAP began in 2009 in response to the global financial crisis, to support hospitality through a quieter time of year. “What started as a fixed-price menu across 35 venues has grown to more than 250 venues each year,” Beth says.

We exist to help our local hospitality industry to thrive and to make Wellington a great place to live.

Visa WOAP festival director, Beth Brash
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