NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2023
The country’s top cheeses have been recognised following the 20th year of judging for the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards.
Medals are almost equally split with; 57 Gold, 55 Silver and 48 Bronze being awarded following two days of intensive judging at Wintec Te Pūkenga, Rotokauri Campus in early March 2023. Twenty-seven trophies were awarded in recognition of the country’s finest cheeses at the 20th annual NZ Champions of Cheese Awards in Hamilton on Thursday 4 May 2023.
A complete report of all aspects of the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards is available for review here.
NZ Champions of Cheese 2023 Supreme Awards
Open Country Dairy Extra Mature Cheddar; Countdown Champion of Champions (Commercial)
Meyer Cheese, Fenugreek; New World Champion of Champions (Mid-sized)
Cartwheel Creamery, Opiki Ma; Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions (Boutique)
Adrian Walcroft, Cartwheel Creamery; MilkTest NZ Champion Cheesemaker
NZ Champions of Cheese 2023 Category Trophies
Whitestone Cheese Co, Drunken Windsor Blue; Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue; ECOLAB Champion Blue Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Ash Rind White; Filtercorp Champion New Cheese
Cartwheel Creamery, Opiki Ma; CHR Hansen Champion Soft-Ripened Cheese
The Cheese Barn, Organic Halloumi; Kiwi Labels Champion Greek/Cypriot Style Cheese
ViaVio Cheese, Burrata; Cheeselinks Champion Fresh Italian Style Cheese
Fonterra Anchor Food Professionals, Anchor EasyMix Cream Cheese; Wintec Te Pūkenga Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Brine Salt Gouda; AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese
Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay, Hōhepa Vintage Danbo; IXOM Champion European Style Cheese
Meyer Cheese, Mild Gouda; Sabato Champion Farmhouse Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Rarama Washed Rind; Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese
Meyer Cheese, Fenugreek; Interchem Agencies Champion Aged Flavour Added Cheese
Kāpiti Kirīmi Chilli & Garlic Triple Cream Cheese; Big Chill Distribution Champion Fresh Flavour Added Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Te Tihi Premium Aged Cheddar; Tetra Pak Champion Retail Cheddar Cheese
Belle Chevre Creamery, Zalloumi; OJI Fibre Solutions Champion Goat Milk Cheese
Meyer Cheese, Sheep Milk Gouda; dish Champion Sheep Milk Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kānuka Havarti Smoked; Dominion Salt Champion Export Cheese
Open Country Dairy Extra Mature Cheddar; Sealed Air Champion Bulk Cheddar Cheese
NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2023 Special Awards
Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay; Countdown Sustainability Award
Kāpiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue; New World Cheese Lovers' Choice
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Bridge Street Blue; Rutherford & Meyer Chefs’ Choice
David Colman, Over The Moon Dairy Company; Innovative Packaging Aspiring Cheesemaker
Giovanni Rogers; Curds & Whey Champion Amateur Cheesemaker & Cheese
IXOM European Style Cheese
Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay, Hōhepa Vintage Danbo
Over the Moon Dairy, Tomme
Tetra Pak Retail Cheddar Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Canterbury Red
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Te Tihi Premium Aged Cheddar
Sealed Air Bulk or Large Block Cheddar
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Special Reserve Cheddar
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Epicure
Open Country Dairy, Extra Mature Cheddar
Sabato Farmhouse Cheese
Meyer Cheese, Mild Gouda
Thermaflo Washed Rind
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Rarama Washed Rind
Big Chill Distribution Fresh Flavour Added Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kirīmi Chilli & Garlic Triple Cream Cheese
Interchem Agencies Aged Flavour Added Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, 3 Boys Brewery Oyster Stout Cheddar
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kānuka Havarti Smoked
Meyer Cheese, Fenugreek
Meyer Cheese, Smoked Gouda
OJI Fibre Solutions Goat Milk Cheese
Belle Chèvre Creamery, Zalloumi
Cartwheel Creamery, Goat Tomme
Cartwheel Creamery, Doe Rei Mi
The Drunken Nanny, Black Tie
dish Sheep Milk Cheese
Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Clive Cumino
Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Te Mata Blue
Meyer Cheese, Sheep Milk Gouda
Dominion Salt Export Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kānuka Havarti Smoked
Curds & Whey Amateur Cheesemaker
Giovanni Rogers
Fonterra Co-operative Group Original Cheese
Whitestone Cheese Co, Drunken Windsor Blue
Ecolab Blue Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Bridge Street Blue
Mount Eliza Cheese, Blue Monkey
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Pakiri
Filtercorp New Cheese
Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Clive Cumino
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Ash Rind White
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Bridge Street Blue
CHR Hansen Soft Ripened Cheese
Cartwheel Creamery, Opiki Ma
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Ash Rind White
Over the Moon Dairy, Camembert
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Double Cream Brie
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Bouton d'or - Double Cream Camembert
Whitestone Cheese Co, Lindis Pass Camembert
Whitestone Cheese Co, Probiotic Brie
Kiwi Labels Greek/Cypriot Style Cheese
The Cheese Barn, Organic Halloumi
Cheeselinks Fresh Italian Style Cheese
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Bocconcini
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Cherry Mozzarella
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Ricotta
Massimo’s Italian Cheeses, Burratina
ViaVio Cheese, Burrata
ViaVio Cheese, Stracciatella di Burrata
Zany Zeus, Ricotta
Wintec Te Pūkenga Fresh Unripened Cheese
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Whipped Cream Cheese
Fonterra Anchor Food Professionals, Anchor Easy Mix Cream Cheese
Fonterra Anchor Food Professionals, Anchor Traditional Cream Cheese
Fonterra Cooperative Group, NZMP Anchor Traditional Cream Cheese
Fonterra Cooperative Group, NZMP High Solids Cream Cheese
Zany Zeus, Crème Fraiche
AsureQuality Dutch-Style Cheese
Fonterra Cooperative Group, NZMP Brine Salt Gouda
Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Karikaas Vintage Gouda
Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Karikaas Cumin/Leyden
Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Karikaas Goudaz
Mahoe Cheese, Gouda
Mahoe Cheese, Mature Edam
Mahoe Cheese, Mature Gouda
Meyer Cheese, Old Master
Meyer Cheese, Vintage Gouda
Fonterra Co-operative Group Original Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Awa Tangy Blue
The Cheese Barn Organic Matatoki Mountain Cheese
Whitestone Cheese Co, Vintage Five Forks
Ecolab Blue Cheese
Hohepa Hawke’s Bay, Hohepa Blue
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Distinction
Filtercorp New Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kahotea Extra Creamy Brie
The Drunken Nanny, Chillin Cheese
CHR Hansen Soft Ripened Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kahikatea Camembert
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kahotea Extra Creamy Brie
Whitestone Cheese Co, Lindis Pass Brie
Kiwi Labels Greek/Cypriot Style Cheese
Cartwheel Creamery, Chilli Halloumi
Whitestone Cheese Co, Ferry Road Halloumi
Cheeselinks Fresh Italian Style Cheese Clevedon Buffalo Co, Mozzarella
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Mozzarella
Massimo’s Italian Cheeses, Smoked Scamorza
ViaVio Cheese, Bocconcini of Mozzarella
ViaVio Cheese, Stracchino
Zany Zeus, Zany Zeus Mascarpone
Wintec Te Pūkenga Fresh Unripened Cheese
Zany Zeus, Cream Cheese
Zany Zeus, Indian-Style Paneer
AsureQuality Dutch-Style Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Gouda
Meyer Cheese, Cumin Gouda
Mahoe Cheese, Very Old Edam
IXOM European Style Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Gruyere
Barrys Bay Cheese, Havarti
Barrys Bay Cheese, Maasdam
Cartwheel Creamery, Smoked Epitome
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kānuka Havarti
Fonterra Cooperative Group, NZMP Parmesan
Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay, Hōhepa Danbo
Karikass Natural Dairy Products, Karikass Maasdam
Meyer Cheese, Maasdam
Tetra Pak Retail Cheddar Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Wainui Vintage Cheddar
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakari Aged Cheddar
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakari Blackcurrant Aged Cheddar
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Mainland Tasty
Sealed Air Bulk or Large Block Cheddar
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Vintage Cheddar
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Colby - Stirling
Open Country Dairy, Colby
Open Country Dairy, Mild Cheddar
Open Country Dairy, Medium Cheddar
Open Country Dairy, Mature Cheddar
Open Country Dairy, Tasty Cheddar
Sabato Farmhouse Cheese
Meyer Cheese, Mild Gouda
Thermaflo Washed Rind
Over the Moon Dairy, Galactic Gold
Big Chill Distribution Fresh Flavour Added Cheeses
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kirīmi Herb & Garlic Triple Cream Cheese Garlic
Zany Zeus, Fresh Mint Feta
Interchem Agencies Aged Flavour Added Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kakato Cumin Seed Gouda
Gibbston Valley Cheese, Peppered Gouda
Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Karikaas Pepper
Meyer Cheese, Cracked Pepper
Meyer Cheese, Garlic & Chives
OJI Fibre Solutions Goat Milk Cheese
Over the Moon Dairy, Goat Camembert
Meyer Cheese, Aged Goats Milk Gouda
Meyer Cheese, Goats Milk Gouda
dish Sheep Milk Cheese
Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Ocean Beach Feta
Dominion Salt Export Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakari Aged Cheddar
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakari Blackcurrant Aged Cheddar
Curds & Whey Amateur Cheesemaker
St Peters College White
Fonterra Co-operative Group Original Cheese
Over the Moon Dairy, Southern Cross
Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Karikaas Koputaputa
Ecolab Blue Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Matakana
Whitestone Cheese Co, Windsor Blue
Over the Moon Dairy, Creamy Blue
Filtercorp New Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Tomme Style
CHR Hansen Soft Ripened Cheese
Cartwheel Creamery, Marama
Whitestone Cheese Co, Benmore Brie
Kiwi Labels Greek/Cypriot Style Cheese
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Feta
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Goat’s Milk Feta
Zany Zeus, Classic Feta
Zany Zeus, Creamy Feta
Zany Zeus, Halloumi
Cheeselinks Fresh Italian Style Cheese
Massimo’s Italian Cheeses, Bocconcini
Massimo’s Italian Cheeses, Burrata
Massimo’s Italian Cheeses, Cherry Bocconcini
Massimo’s Italian Cheeses, Mozzarella
Massimo’s Italian Cheeses, Stracciatella
Wintec Te Pūkenga Fresh Unripened Cheese
Over the Moon Dairy, Gee’s Black Truffle Spread
AsureQuality Dutch-Style Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kakato Gouda
Meyer Cheese, Tasty Gouda
The Cheese Barn, Organic Gouda
IXOM European Style Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kowhai Gruyere
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Tomme Style
Talbot Forest Cheese Co, Parmesan
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Swiss Type
Tetra Pak Retail Cheddar Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Cold Smoked Appletree Cheddar
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakari Smoked Cheddar
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Mainland Tasty Light (Noble)
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Mainland Smoked Aged Cheddar
Sealed Air Bulk or Large Block Cheddar
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Extra Tasty Cheddar
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Mild Cheddar
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Tasty Cheddar
Open Country Dairy, Aged Cheddar
Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Colby - Hautapu
SABATO Farmhouse Cheese
No Bronze Medals awarded
Thermaflo Washed Rind
ViaVio Cheese, Fontal
Big Chill Distribution Fresh Flavour Added Cheeses
Clevedon Buffalo Co, Spiced Orange Marinated Cheese
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Basil Pesto Cow Feta
Zany Zeus, Zingy Chilli Feta
Interchem Agencies Aged Flavour Added Cheese
Barrys Bay Cheese, Cumin Spice Cheddar
Gibbston Valley Cheese, Chilli Havarti
Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay, Hōhepa Danbo Cumin
OJI Fibre Solutions Goat Milk Cheese
Belle Chèvre Creamery, Chèvre
dish Sheep Milk Cheese
Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Tuki Tuki Gold
Fernglen Farms, Feta
Dominion Salt Export Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Te Tihi Premium Aged Cheddar
Open Country Dairy, Cheddar
Curds & Whey Amateur Cheesemaker
No Bronze Medals awarded