After checking, sniffing and tasting more than 250 locally produced cheeses the country’s finest 187 have been awarded medals in the prestigious New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards.

The prestigious New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards is back for 2024, with Master Judge Jason Tarrant pleased to be guiding thirty judges through an assessment of more than 250 NZ-made cheeses.

The prestigious New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards is back for 2024, with Master Judge Jason Tarrant pleased to welcome guest judge Rachael Sills. Rachael, a New Zealander, brings 27 years of international cheese expertise to the judging panel.

Twenty-nine recipients have been recognised with a Top NZ Cheese Store 2024 accolade, which acknowledges the passion of New Zealand's finest cheese retailers and gives Kiwi cheese lovers a guide to finding the best NZ Cheese.

Kiwi cheese culture is celebrated with the expansion of the Top NZ Cheese Store accreditation programme.

Adrian Walcroft of Cartwheel Creamery made a 12 year journey from being named the country’s top hobby cheesemaker in 2012 to claim this year’s top professional cheesemaking accolade, Milktest NZ Champion Cheesemaker.

The country’s top cheeses have been recognised with 162 receiving medals following the 20th year of judging for the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards.

A strong number of entries have been received for this weekend’s judging of the 20th annual NZ Champions of Cheese Awards at Wintec Te Pūkenga, Rotokauri Campus.

The 2023 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards will be judged at Wintec Te Pūkenga, Rotokauri Campus on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March 2023. Medal winners will be named on Tuesday 28 March 2023 with Champions announced at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards Gala Dinner – celebrating 20 years - in Hamilton on Thursday 4 May 2023.

Four exceptional outlets selling locally made cheese have joined the ranks of the Top NZ Cheese Stores for 2022 and 2023, giving shoppers 18 places across the country where they are guaranteed an outstanding experience buying locally made cheese.

Students and hobby cheesemakers are invited to enter their cheese in the revamped Curds & Whey Amateur Cheese and Cheesemaker Award which is part of the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards.

Twenty-nine trophies. were presented at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2022 following the judging of more than 380 cheeses.

New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association (NZSCA) has announced 254 medal winners in the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2022. More than 380 cheeses were judged, with 76 Gold Medals, 120 Silver Medals and 58 Bronze Medals awarded.

More than 380 cheeses have been entered for this weekend’s judging of the 20th NZ Champions of Cheese Awards at WINTEC Hospitality School in Hamilton.

The Countdown Sustainability Award has been created to recognise, celebrate and promote sustainability in the New Zealand cheesemaking industry. It’s one of several changes to the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2022.

Fifteen stores - from Auckland to Oamaru - specialising in selling locally made cheese have been named Top NZ Cheese Stores for 2021, marking the end of a successful NZ Cheese Month.

Kiwis are being encouraged to try a new cheese this month to celebrate New Zealand Cheese Month.

New Zealand Cheese Month celebrates the local cheese industry each October because it’s ‘spring flush’ the early days of spring, with warmth and soil moisture creating lush, green grass for animals to feast on. Sheep and goat milking resumes and there is plenty of fresh cheese available for cheese lovers.

Medal winners from the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2021