Airbnb Announces Winners of the 2025 New Zealand Host Awards
Today Airbnb unveils the winners of its 2025 New Zealand Host Awards, celebrating the creativity, care and community impact of local hosts across the country.
From luxury farm stays to off-grid escapes, this year’s winners prove that thoughtful hosting transforms everyday spaces into extraordinary guest experiences.
The annual awards recognise hosts who go above and beyond, welcoming guests with warmth, curated design and local flavour. Categories include: Best Design Stay, Best Nature Stay, Best Family Friendly Stay, Best Room Stay, Best New Host and the coveted Host of the Year.
Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for New Zealand said: “Local hosts are shaping the future of travel by creating spaces that reflect local culture, foster genuine connection and support their communities.
“Their hospitality goes beyond welcoming guests. It helps sustain small businesses, revitalise neighbourhoods and provide families with meaningful income. These winning stays show how hosting on Airbnb can be a powerful tool for economic opportunity and community-led tourism.”
Winning hosts were selected based on extensive Airbnb data, guest scores and reviews, with oversight from a panel of judges including Susan Wheeldon and Host Advisory Board members, Geoff Gedge and Sarah Huang.
According to a recent report by Oxford Economics, the spending associated with Airbnb generated an estimated $5.1 billion to New Zealand’s economy in 2024, approximately 10 percent of the country’s tourism GDP. Domestic travel was a major driver, accounting for around 55 per cent of Airbnb stays. In 2024, guest spending reached $4.4 billion across the country, helping small businesses thrive and spreading tourism benefits well beyond the major cities.
Please find the full list of award finalists at airbnb.co.nz/hostawards25nz
To understand how Airbnb safeguards its hosts, explore the various protection measures and policies here.
2025 AIRBNB HOST AWARDS WINNERS
Best Family Friendly Stay – recognising hosts who have gone above and beyond to ensure families have an amazing stay
WINNER: Tuki Views, Hawke’s Bay, North Island
ABOUT THE LISTING: Tuki Views, hosted by Diane, is a peaceful family retreat with uninterrupted views of Te Mata Peak and the Tuki Tuki River. Set within the Black Barn Subdivision, this spacious home features a resort-style 12-metre pool, spa, tennis court and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Guests love the multiple lounge areas, flexible bedroom layout and tranquil garden spaces perfect for play and relaxation. Just minutes from wineries, beaches and Havelock North village, the property is ideal for families or groups seeking privacy with easy access to local attractions.
JUDGE GEOFF GEDGE: “Tuki Views guests consistently praise Diane’s meticulous home design, flawless communication and warm hospitality. She goes above and beyond to create memorable stays, accommodating last-minute changes with grace and making visitors feel welcome from arrival to departure.”
Best New Host – recognising new hosts who have gone above and beyond to ensure guests have an amazing stay
WINNER: Hightide River Escape, Hokitika, South Island
ABOUT THE LISTING: Hightide River Escape, hosted by Kimberley and Shane, is a romantic off-grid cabin nestled on the banks of the Hokitika River, just a short walk from town yet worlds away in atmosphere. Designed for couples and nature lovers, this cosy retreat features a queen bed with ensuite, a fully equipped kitchen, and a snug lounge perfect for fireside reading. Outside, guests can soak in a wood-fired cedar bathtub under the stars, paddle the river in provided canoes, or gather around the fire pit for marshmallows and moonlit stories. With panoramic views of the Alps, ocean, and river from the nearby bridge, Hightide offers a rare blend of wild West Coast beauty and elevated comfort.
JUDGE GEOFF GEDGE: “Kimberley and Shane have transformed a compact space into a boutique curated sanctuary, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail throughout. What’s most compelling is the consistency in guest feedback. ‘Thoughtful’ is the word that surfaces time and again. International guests speak to the hosts’ warmth and ability to foster a genuine sense of belonging. That level of care and hospitality is precisely what this recognition is about.”
Host of the Year – recognising hosts who have gone above and beyond this year
WINNER: Seafield View, Hawke’s Bay, North Island
ABOUT THE LISTING: Seafield View hosted by Jo is a nurturing retreat designed for deep rest and quiet joy. Built with comfort in mind, the two-bedroom home features queen beds with feather pillows, a sun-drenched lounge with a window seat for tui birdwatching and a full kitchen stocked with extras, like Jo’s homemade bread and a breakfast pack of local treats. Guests rave about the outdoor bath, perfect for sunset soaks and the peaceful privacy of the rural setting. With mountain-bike trails, e-bike hire and a charming Book Exchange, Jo’s haven blends luxury with warmth, offering a restorative base for exploring Hawke’s Bay wineries, coastlines and cycle trails.
JUDGE GEOFF GEDGE: “From the styling to the provision of generous amenities, there’s a clear commitment to comfort, sustainability and guest experience. The welcome pack and bathrobes are refined details, but what stands out most is the consistency in guest feedback: responsive, accommodating and full of small gestures that leave a lasting impression.”
Best Design Stay – recognising the hosts who have a unique and amazingly distinctive home
WINNER: Nest, Canterbury, South Island
ABOUT THE LISTING: Nest, hosted by Elizabeth and her family is a one-of-a-kind luxury treehouse escape tucked deep in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island. Hand-built, these creative sanctuaries are a celebration of childhood wonder and bold creativity; featuring swing bridges, glass balustrades and panoramic valley views. The treehouse is uniquely designed with outdoor bathtubs, barrel saunas, fireplaces and star-gazing tubs that turn every moment into magic. Guests rave about the treasure hunts, homemade cookies and the immersive layout that invites reconnection with nature and each other. Boutique, off-grid, and brimming with heart, it’s a design-forward stay that captures the imagination.
JUDGE GEOFF GEDGE: “Elizabeth’s property is visually striking, and arguably one of the most iconic treehouse-style listings we’ve seen. It’s the kind of place that feels ready-made for an Airbnb campaign. The host has created a romantic, immersive retreat with exceptional design and standout inclusions, from homemade granola and delicious breakfast packs.”
Best Nature Stay – recognising hosts who showcase the best of Australia’s stunning natural landscape
WINNER: The Black Yurt, Ōakura, North Island
ABOUT THE LISTING: The Black Yurt, hosted by Ekaterina and Wes, is a secluded glamping retreat tucked into the rewilded hills of coastal Taranaki. Surrounded by native bush, birdsong and a gentle stream, this modern yurt offers a deep connection to nature without sacrificing comfort. Guests enjoy
queen bedding, a cosy wood-fired interior and cozy eco touches, from locally sourced products to driftwood heating and zero single-use plastics. Just a short walk from the beach and Mount Taranaki’s trails, it’s a haven for hikers, romantics and anyone seeking quiet renewal. With edible gardens, a sauna and an EV charger in the works, The Black Yurt is a regenerative escape shaped by care for the land and love for the wild.
JUDGE GEOFF GEDGE: “Ekaterina and Wes’ stay is a beautifully styled glamping Yurt in a striking location; an offering that stands out for its uniqueness and charm. Ekaterina and Wes demonstrate a clear commitment to guest experience, not only through design but also in their responsiveness to feedback, including guest reviews.”
Best Room Stay – recognising the hosts who have an amazingly distinctive room stay experience
WINNER: City Views at Whareora, Christchurch, South Island
ABOUT THE LISTING: City Views at Whareora, hosted by Jo and Lance, is a private, top-floor guest suite nestled in lush bushland just 5.5km from Christchurch’s city centre. This semi-detached hillside apartment offers a peaceful escape with expansive views stretching from city to sea. The queen room features a luxe five-metre granite bathroom with double rain showers and a spa bath overlooking the skyline. Guests enjoy a cosy lounge, kitchenette, Smart TV, and hundreds of DVDs, plus a well-stocked guest kitchen downstairs for self-catering. With generous breakfast supplies, ultra-fast Wi-Fi, and heartfelt extras like airport pickups and homemade guidebooks, Jo and Lance bring decades of nursing care into every detail.
JUDGE GEOFF GEDGE: “Jo and Lance’s beautifully styled, self-contained retreat balances comfort, privacy and aesthetic appeal. The bedroom offers a stunning view, and the inclusion of private living and kitchen facilities elevates the guest experience. The standout guest feedback is a clear reflection of their attention to detail and commitment to quality.”