A memorable hāngi experience as a teenager has inspired a Michelin-starred Japanese chef to return to Aotearoa nearly four decades later for a unique cultural and culinary collaboration at Visa Wellington On a Plate 2026.
Chef Keiko Kuwakino, head chef of the Michelin-starred Sanaburi restaurant in Niigata, Japan, will join renowned Māori chef Joe McLeod for a special one-night dining experience at Pipitea Marae in Wellington on August 29.
Kuwakino first visited New Zealand as a high school exchange student and says the experience of sharing a traditional hāngi left a lasting impression that has remained with her throughout her life and career.
Today, Kuwakino is internationally recognised for her plant-based satoyama cuisine, a style of cooking deeply connected to the mountains, forests and seasonal ingredients of rural Japan. Her approach shares strong similarities with Māori food traditions, particularly the emphasis on respecting the environment, traditional knowledge and connections to whenua.
The dinner has been developed in partnership with Te Āti Awa and E Kai Māori and will celebrate the shared values found within Māori and Japanese food cultures. Both chefs are known for championing indigenous ingredients and preserving traditional food knowledge for future generations.
Te Āti Awa leaders say the event represents more than a culinary collaboration. It is an opportunity to strengthen cultural relationships, celebrate indigenous excellence and create meaningful exchanges through kai.
The event also highlights the enduring impact of Māori hospitality. What began as a simple act of welcoming a young exchange student has evolved into an international cultural connection spanning decades and continents.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says events like this help showcase New Zealand’s cultural heritage while attracting visitors seeking authentic experiences.
Visa Wellington On a Plate Festival Director Beth Brash says Kuwakino’s return reflects the festival’s 2026 theme, Word of Mouth, demonstrating how stories, traditions and memories travel through people and food.
Kuwakino hopes the experience will become the beginning of an ongoing relationship between Māori and Japanese communities, creating opportunities for future cultural exchange and learning.
Visa Wellington On a Plate runs throughout August, featuring more than 100 events and over 240 burgers across the Wellington region. The special Indigenous Culinary Exchange dinner at Pipitea Marae is expected to be one of the festival’s standout events.
