The line stretched around the block. Thirteen hours. That’s how long some people waited just to be among the first to step inside Elon Musk’s retro-futuristic dream: the Tesla Diner in Hollywood, California.
When the doors finally opened at 4:20 p.m. on July 21, 2025 (because of course it was 4:20), thousands of curious visitors flooded into what might be the most ambitious restaurant concept Tesla has ever imagined. Two giant 66-foot movie screens loomed overhead. Eighty V4 Supercharger stalls hummed with electricity. An Optimus robot scooped popcorn.
And across the world in New Zealand, Tesla enthusiasts couldn’t help but wonder: When is our turn? 
The Promise That Has Everyone Talking
The Hollywood location was supposed to be just the beginning. Elon Musk himself declared on X: “If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well, which I think it will, @Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world, as well as at Supercharger sites on long distance routes.”
Global expansion. Major cities. Long-distance routes.
Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, added fuel to the fire in a recent interview, confirming that “we’ve been talking about diners located around the world. I think it’s just a matter of staying tuned.”
Just a matter of staying tuned.
Those seven words have sparked hope—and impatience—in Tesla communities from Auckland to Queenstown.
The Next Location Is Already Confirmed… But It’s Not New Zealand
Here’s where the suspense builds.
Tesla has already greenlit its second diner location: Starbase, Texas, home of SpaceX. When a user requested a Starbase location on social media, Musk’s response was characteristically brief: “Ok.”
That’s it. That single word set the wheels in motion for the second Tesla Diner, strategically positioned to serve the thousands of space enthusiasts who flock to witness SpaceX launches every year.
But what about the third location? The fourth? When does Tesla’s global vision actually become… global?
The Case for New Zealand
New Zealand isn’t just any market for Tesla. The country has proven itself as a strong early adopter of electric vehicles. When Tesla first began accepting orders for the Model S and Model X in November 2016, the decision was partly driven by the overwhelming number of Model 3 reservations from New Zealanders—this despite having no charging or service infrastructure at the time.
Tesla currently operates service centers in Auckland and Christchurch, with Supercharger stations connecting the major cities. The infrastructure is there. The demand is there. New Zealanders have shown they’re willing to be pioneers in the EV space.
Auckland alone would be a logical choice—a major city with a growing Tesla community, positioned as a hub for international visitors exploring both islands. The scenic routes between Auckland and Wellington, or from Christchurch to Queenstown, could become exactly the kind of “long distance routes” Musk referenced.
Imagine: charging your Tesla while watching a film beneath the Southern Cross, grabbing a burger cooked with locally sourced ingredients, then continuing your journey through some of the world’s most stunning landscapes.
The vision practically sells itself.
But Here’s the Problem
Despite all the promise, all the hints, all the “stay tuned” messaging from Tesla executives… there’s been absolutely no mention of New Zealand in any official expansion plans.
None.
Franz von Holzhausen spoke vaguely about “different local themes for each location,” noting how the Hollywood diner focused on locally-grown American cuisine. Would a New Zealand diner feature meat pies and L&P? Pavlova and flat whites? The speculation is tantalizing, but that’s all it is—speculation.
The brutal truth is this: Tesla’s global expansion will likely prioritize markets based on population density, tourist traffic, and strategic importance. After Starbase, the company will probably look at major European cities or high-traffic locations in Asia before turning its attention to the smaller markets of the Pacific.
The Timeline Nobody Wants to Hear
If we’re being realistic, New Zealand faces a challenging equation:
- The first Tesla Diner opened in July 2025 in Hollywood
- The second location (Starbase) has been confirmed but no opening date announced
- Tesla has stated expansion depends on the success of the first location
- Global rollout will prioritize “major cities” and high-traffic routes
Given Tesla’s typical pace of international expansion and the company’s focus on larger markets, a conservative estimate would place a New Zealand Tesla Diner no earlier than 2027—and that’s if everything goes perfectly.
More likely? 2028 or beyond.
Or possibly never.
The Glimmer of Hope
But here’s where the story takes an interesting turn.
Tesla has repeatedly defied expectations. The company that was supposed to fail has become the world’s most valuable automaker. The “production hell” everyone predicted has given way to millions of vehicles produced annually. The Supercharger network that seemed overly ambitious now spans continents.
And New Zealanders have proven themselves as exactly the kind of early adopters and brand enthusiasts that Tesla values. The country imported Model S vehicles before official support existed. Model 3 reservations poured in before anyone knew when deliveries would begin.
If there’s one thing Tesla rewards, it’s passion from its customer base.
So… When?
The honest answer? Nobody knows.
Not even Tesla probably knows at this stage. The Hollywood diner is still in its infancy. Starbase hasn’t broken ground. The “global expansion” exists more as an intention than a detailed roadmap.
But here’s what we do know:
The vision is real. The technology exists. The blueprint has been proven. Tesla has publicly committed to bringing diners to major cities around the world and along long-distance routes. New Zealand has the EV infrastructure, the Tesla community, and the breathtaking scenery that would make a Tesla Diner not just practical, but iconic.
The question isn’t really if a Tesla Diner will come to New Zealand.
The question is: How long are you willing to wait?
And perhaps more importantly: Are New Zealanders willing to make enough noise to move their country up the priority list?
Because if there’s one thing Elon Musk responds to, it’s social media buzz and passionate communities demanding to be heard.
The ball, as they say, is in your court, New Zealand.
For Now, All We Can Do Is Watch… and Wait
The Hollywood diner serves burgers 24/7. Movie screens glow through the night. Robots scoop popcorn. Teslas charge beneath the California stars.
Meanwhile, across the Pacific, New Zealand’s Tesla owners charge at conventional Superchargers, grab coffee at conventional cafes, and dream of what could be.
Stay tuned, Franz von Holzhausen said.
So that’s exactly what we’ll do.
Stay tuned.
And hope that when Tesla’s global expansion finally reaches the land of the long white cloud, it brings with it the retro-futuristic dining experience the world has been talking about.
The suspense, as they say, is half the fun.
Or at least, that’s what we keep telling ourselves while we wait.
