Aotearoa's most welcoming, creative and thoughtful Airbnb Hosts have been recognised as part of the platform's third annual Host Awards.
Celebrating top Hosts and their listings on offer across the country, the Airbnb Host Awards aim to shine a spotlight on exceptional Hosts for the hospitality they offer guests, along with the benefits they bring to their communities.
With categories such as Most Unique Stay and Best Design Stay, winners range from a converted romantic house bus set in a field on 35 acres overlooking the beautiful West Coast of Raglan, to an impeccably designed luxury glamping tent that blends luxury and nature on the hilltops of Waitomo.
Meanwhile, Kawakawa Hut – an off-the-grid countryside hut built from repurposed materials – has picked up the award for Best Nature Stay.
This year’s coveted Host of the Year award went to Rotorua’s David and Christina Chemis, whose private cabin treats guests with a mix of personal touches, unexpected inclusions and warm and welcoming experiences such as homemade treats and a private outdoor bath. The space was architecturally designed as a retreat to recharge in a little piece of paradise. Guests have consistently rated this property five stars, raving about the location and thoughtful touches and effort made.
South Island host, Viv Madsen-Ries, has won the Best New Host Award for her private guest suite located in the idyllic Arrowtown.
This year’s new category, Best Room Host, was awarded to Joanna, who provides a room in her light and bright Freemans Bay home, allowing guests to have the ultimate inner-city experience.
Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, said local hosts are the backbone of the Airbnb community.
“Here in New Zealand, we have so many incredible hosts who consistently go above and beyond for their guests and shine a spotlight on this beautiful country. We know that Hosts put in tremendous effort to ensure their listings are unique, curated and full of thoughtful touches that allow guests to immerse themselves in a truly unique experience to remember,” said Wheeldon.
“It’s fantastic to see that all corners of the country are covered, with winning Hosts hailing from Arrowtown in the south, to Waitomo and up to Auckland. There’s also a range of price points, from luxe listings to tiny homes and everything in between.”
Wheeldon said the winners all offer something unique to suit different styles, tastes and budgets, and the awards promote the diversity on offer across the over 60 categories available on Airbnb.
“We’ve seen that the cost of living has created fundamental shifts in how people travel and live, creating tangible opportunities for communities that lay off the beaten track. Domestic and affordable trends are seeing the benefits of tourism spreading further afield into regional New Zealand and empowering locals to earn a living and make ends meet. It’s incredibly exciting to see travellers enthusiastic about exploring new destinations and Hosts act as passionate advocates for the regions and communities they live in.”
Wheeldon added that these Hosts are also helping to bring valuable tourist dollars to local businesses and support jobs. Being a Host is not just about sharing a special place, it also allows people to showcase their local areas while having an opportunity to earn extra income to combat the rising cost of living.
Recently released research from Oxford Economics has found Airbnb is an important pillar of Aotearoa’s tourism industry, contributing $2.8 billion to Gross Domestic Product and supporting 22,500 Kiwi jobs in the 12 months to March 2023.
The independent report titled The Economic Impact of Airbnb in APAC, found the platform accounted for approximately 7.8 percent of the tourism industry’s contribution to GDP in 2022, up from five percent in 2019.
The report also highlighted the powerful multiplier effect Airbnb guest spending has within local communities. In 2022, Airbnb guests spent over $3 billion in New Zealand at restaurants, retail stores and on transportation, among other tourist activities.
Winning Hosts were selected based on extensive Airbnb data, guest scores and reviews, with oversight from a panel of judges that included Australia and New Zealand Airbnb Country Manager, Susan Wheeldon, and New Zealand-born Host, Felicity Stevens, who sits on Airbnb’s global Host Advisory Board.
“I was blown away by the finalists included in this year’s Airbnb’s Host Awards, and the task of choosing a winner was incredibly difficult. It is clear these hosts put a lot of love and effort into their listings, and it certainly pays off,” Stevens said.
“The dedication to ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for all guests is incredibly special to see across all of the categories.”
