Health officials investigate norovirus reports after Valentines Manukau diners fall ill

Clarification: This article has been amended since publication to give greater prominence to Auckland Council’s finding that no food safety issues were found during a joint visit with MPI, and to the fact the source of the outbreak remains under investigation.

Public health officials are investigating the potential source of a norovirus outbreak in Auckland after multiple people who visited a popular buffet restaurant fell ill.

The National Public Health Service said 15 people reported symptoms after visiting an Auckland restaurant on June 12. Auckland Council confirmed to the Herald the establishment was Valentines in Manukau.

Authorities have not identified the source of the outbreak, and say they have found no food safety issues.

“Public health has been notified of a gastroenteritis outbreak linked to an Auckland restaurant,” National Public Health Service (northern region) medical officer of health Dr Li-Wern Yim told the Herald.

“To date, 15 people have reported symptoms, all of whom visited the restaurant on June 12, 2026. The cause of the illness has been identified as norovirus.

“Public health is currently investigating the possible source of the outbreak.”

Valentines Manukau told the Herald the restaurant was alerted about the outbreak by the National Public Health Service.

The restaurant confirmed in a statement it complied with authorities during the visit on June 18 to check “food processes and cleanliness”.

“They were quite satisfied after conducting the visit. We submitted all necessary information and documents requested by them.”

The Auckland Council’s manager of specialist operations licensing and compliance, Veronica Lee-Thompson, said it was notified by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on June 17 about a “suspected gastrointestinal outbreak potentially linked to dining at Valentines in Manukau on June 12″.

“Food safety officers from the council and MPI undertook a joint visit to Valentines on June 18,” Lee-Thompson told the Herald.

Valentines in Manukau.

“The council food safety officer found no food safety issues during the visit and therefore the restaurant’s food safety grade was not affected.

“Auckland Council has not had any previous reports of illnesses associated with this restaurant.

“MPI continues to investigate the cause of the potential outbreak.”

The restaurant said no staff, who also “consume buffet food in their breaks”, reported any illness.

It has received two complaints from customers since the outbreak.

“We served more than 1000 customers since June 12 and received no complaints of food poisoning.

“Food quality and customer experience is our top-most priority. We have proper procedures for refunds and compensations for customers with complaints, which we are following.

“Right now we are just waiting for the report from authorities regarding the source of this virus.”

Public Google reviews posted after June 12 included claims from people who said they became sick after visiting Valentines Manukau.

“My family and I went to Valentines in Manukau on Friday night and 24 hours later, we all started violently throwing up,” one said in a one-star Google review last week.

Another reviewer claimed people in their party experienced vomiting and diarrhoea after eating at the restaurant on the same Friday.

New Zealand Food Safety acting deputy director-general Mike Inglis confirmed receiving “reports of illness from people that dined at an Auckland food business”.

“We are working with the business, Auckland Council and the National Public Health Service to determine the source and put in place any corrective actions as needed.”

What is norovirus?

Norovirus is an infectious disease that causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

“People usually develop symptoms one to two days after being infected with the virus, and these symptoms can last for two to three days,” the National Public Health Service’s Yim said.

“You can catch norovirus by eating contaminated food or water or by touching contaminated surfaces. You can also catch it by breathing in droplets from a person who has vomited.

“People with norovirus are usually infectious until three days after symptoms have stopped.”

Yim said it is important to have good hand hygiene to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

“This includes washing hands with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet. If you have norovirus, you should also stay away from work, community gatherings and school or preschool until free of symptoms for 48 hours.

“Most people with norovirus can recover safely at home. If you have symptoms, be sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids. You should see your healthcare provider if you have bloody diarrhoea or a fever or if your symptoms have not gone away after seven days. You can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116.”