Caterers in New Zealand
Top 5 rankings across New Zealand
Whether you are catering a wedding, a work function or a party, every caterer must operate under a Food Control Plan or National Programme registered under the Food Act 2014, and the Ministry for Primary Industries public register lets you check a business by name before you book. Ask for a per-head price for the style you want, whether buffet, spit roast or plated, that states what it includes (staff, crockery, travel) and what it does not, and confirm whether the caterer holds an on-licence endorsed for catering or you need a special licence from the council for alcohol. There is no statutory cooling-off period for a booking, so get the final-numbers deadline and cancellation terms in writing.
Choose a location
Caterers rankings in all 9 locations, each at its own latest check. Rows follow our fixed market order, so the table is not a ranking of cities. Ratings and shares cover the businesses listed in that location.
| Location | Reviews at #5 | Lowest rating | 1-star share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 149 | 4.7 | 1.0% |
| Wellington | 85 | 4.2 | 2.0% |
| Christchurch | 54 | 4.7 | 2.4% |
| Hamilton | 74 | 4.5 | 1.0% |
| Tauranga | 47 | 4.8 | 0.6% |
| Napier and Hastings | 26 | 4.7 | 1.0% |
| Palmerston North | 13 | 4.5 | |
| Nelson | 44 | 4.6 | 1.3% |
| New Plymouth | 7 | 4.5 | 1.0% |
Across the 9 locations we assess caterers in, the 85 businesses listed have a median rating of 4.9, and one-star reviews are 1.5% of their total. The review count needed for 5th place runs from 7 to 149.