New Zealand Cheese Awards 2026

Cheese Awards
Written By Guest User
NZ Cheese Awards Logo 2026
 

Jason Tarrant - Master Judge, guided a team of thirty-three experienced judges to taste and award the best-of-the-best from over 270 of New Zealand’s finest cheeses. An incredible presentation of a wide range of styles from 22 producers.

 
 
 
 

Champion Trophies

  • Whitestone Cheese Co., Monte Cristo, Hall’s Group - Champion Cheese (Commercial)

  • Meyer Cheese, Vintage Gouda, Woolworths - Champion Cheese (Mid-Sized)

  • Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Pecorino, Puhoi Valley - Champion Cheese (Boutique)

Category Trophies

  • Pete Corbitt, Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese Milktest - Champion Cheesemaker

  • Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Dairy Halloumi, Whitestone Cheese - New Cheese

  • Whitestone Cheese Co., Monte Cristo, Fonterra - Original Cheese

  • Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Matakana Waxed Blue, ECOLAB - Blue Cheese

  • Belle Chevre Creamery, Flat White, Novonesis - Soft White Rind Cheese

  • Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Feta Sheep, Cheeselinks - Greek-Style or Danish-Style Cheese

  • Massimo's, Appetizer Burrata, NZSCA - Fresh Italian-Style Cheese  

  • Zany Zeus NZ Limited, Zany Zeus Cream Cheese, NZSCA - Fresh Unripened Cheese

  • Meyer Cheese, Vintage Gouda, Mercer Cheese, Meyer Cheese, and Mahoe Cheese - Dutch-Style Cheese

  • Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Pecorino, IXOM - European-Style Cheese

  • Meyer Cheese, Smoked Gouda, NZSCA - Farmhouse Cheese

  • Thorvald Ltd, Little River Wildfire, Massimo’s - Washed Rind Cheese

  • Barry’s Bay Traditional Cheese, Smoked Rinded Cheddar, FOSS - Aged Flavoured Added Cheese

  • Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Feta Sheep Smoked, Big Chill - Fresh Flavoured Added Cheese

  • Fonterra Anchor Food Professionals, AFP Mild Cheddar, Tetra Pak - Retail Cheddar Cheese

  • Fonterra-NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Epicure, Sealed Air - Bulk Cheddar Cheese

  • Belle Chevre Creamery, Flat White, OJI Fibre - Best-in-Class Goat Milk Cheese

  • Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Feta Sheep Smoked, Maui Sheep Milk - Best-in-Class Sheep Milk Cheese

  • Over the Moon, Volcano, Hill Labs - Best-in-Class Buffalo Milk Cheese

  • Meyer Cheese, Smoked Gouda, Dominion Salt - Export Cheese

Special Awards

  • Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Matakana Waxed Blue, Innovative Packaging - Chef’s Choice

  • St Peter's College, SPC Sheepishly Blue, Curds & Whey - Amateur Cheesemaker

 
 
 

Fresh Unripened

Zany Zeus NZ Limited, Zany Zeus Cream Cheese

Greek/Danish-Style or Greek-Style Cheese

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Feta Sheep

New Cheese

Mainland Dairy, Eltham Cheese Bar - Fiery Delight

Curds First Limited, Curds First - Fresh Cheddar Curds

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Dairy Halloumi

NZ Made European - Style Cheese

Hōhepa Hawke's Bay, Hōhepa Danbo

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Pecorino

Original New Zealand Cheese

Whitestone Cheese, Monte Cristo

Whitestone Cheese, Vintage Five Forks

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Tasty Lite

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Egmont Cheese

Retail Cheddar Cheese

Over the Moon Dairy, Galactic Gold

Soft Ripened Cheese

Whitestone Cheese, Lindis Pass Brie

Whitestone Cheese, Lindis Pass Camembert

Whitestone Cheese, Probiotic Camembert

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Double Cream Brie 220gm

Over the Moon, Volcano

Belle Chevre Creamery, Flat White

Aged Flavour Added Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Smoked Rinded Cheddar

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Kakato Cumin Seed Gouda

Blue Cheese (All Species Milk)

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Matakana Waxed Blue

Open Country, Ched P

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Epicure

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Special Reserve Cheddar

Dutch Style Cheese

Meyer Cheese, Tasty Gouda

Meyer Cheese, Vintage Gouda

Mahoe Cheese, Mature Edam

Mahoe Cheese, Cumin Gouda

Mahoe Cheese, Gouda

Export Cheese

Meyer Cheese, Vintage Waikato

Meyer Cheese, Smoked Gouda

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue

Farmhouse Cheese

Meyer Cheese, Smoked Gouda

Fresh Flavour Added Cheese

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Feta Sheep Smoked

Thorvald Ltd, Valhal Fresh Goat Cheese Garlic & Herb

Zany Zeus NZ Limited, Zany Zeus Sour Cream

Fresh Italian-Style Cheese

Massimo's, Stracciatella

Massimo's, Mozarella Log

Massimo's, Appetizer Burrata

Massimo's, Burratina

Massimo's, Burrata

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - Anchor Food Professionals, AFP Mozzarella

Zany Zeus NZ Limited, Zany Zeus Italian Style Ricotta

 
 
 

Fresh Unripened

Fernglen Farm, Fernglen Farm - Labneh

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Traditional Cream Cheese DAR

Greek/Danish-Style or Greek-Style Cheese

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Dairy Feta

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Dairy Halloumi

Thorvald Ltd, Thorvald Feta

Whitestone Cheese, Ferry Road Halloumi

Zany Zeus NZ Limited, Zany Zeus Halloumi

New Cheese

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Dairy Feta

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Dairy Chilli Camembert

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Blue Lakes

NZ Made European - Style Cheese

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Kānuka Creamy Havarti

Mainland Dairy, Spring Sheep Southern Lights

Original New Zealand Cheese

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Cheddarsan

Whitestone Cheese, Aged Airedale

Whitestone Cheese, Farmhouse

Retail Cheddar Cheese

Mainland Dairy, Mainland Special Reserve Smoked Cheddar

Over the Moon, Goat Camembert

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Camembert Single Cream 230gm

Thorvald Ltd, Little River Camembert

Whitestone Cheese, Benmore Brie

Whitestone Cheese, Waitaki Camembert

Washed Rind Cheese

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Pink & White Tce

Thorvald Ltd, Little River Wildfire

Aged Flavour Added Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Peppered Havarti

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Paprika Havarti

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Three Boys Oyster Stout Cheddar

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Kānuka Smoked Havarti

Blue Cheese

Mahoe Cheese, Mahoe Blue

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue

St Peter's College, SPC Sheepishly blue

Whitestone Cheese, Windsor Blue

Bulk or Large Block Cheddar

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Organic Cheddar

Dutch Style Cheese

Mahoe Cheese, Very Old Edam

Mahoe Cheese, Edam

Meyer Cheese, Cumin Gouda

Meyer Cheese, Goat's Milk

Meyer Cheese, Vintage Cumin

Export Cheese

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Brine Salt Gouda 1

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Brine Salt Gouda 2

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Pakari Blackcurrant Cheddar

Meyer Cheese, Maasdam

Farmhouse Cheese

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Tuki Tuki Gold

Fernglen Farm, Fernglen Farm - Farmhouse Sheep Cheese

Fresh Flavour Added Cheese

Hōhepa Hawke's Bay, Hōhepa Herb Quark

Mainland Dairy, Mainland Special Reserve Chilli & Garlic Brie

Fresh Italian-Style Cheese

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Mozzarella

Massimo's, Cherry Bocconcini

Zany Zeus NZ Limited, Zany Zeus Mascarpone

 
 
 

Aged Flavour Added Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese , Wood Smoke Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese,Chilli Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Chive Cheddar

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Clive Cumino

Hōhepa Hawke's Bay, Hōhepa Fenugreek Danbo

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Pakari Blackcurrant Cheddar

Mainland Dairy, Eltham Cheese Bar - Fiery Delight

Meyer Cheese, Fenugreek

Blue Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Peninsula Blue

Kāpiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue, Eltham Cheese Bar - Bridge St Blue

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Pakiri Beach Blue 

St Peter's College, Mountain Road Blue

Whitestone Cheese, Highland Blue

Whitestone Cheese, Lake Pukaki Blue Brie 

Whitestone Cheese, Moeraki Bay Blue 

Bulk or Large Block Cheddar

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Mild Cheddar 

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Mild Cheddar 

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Coloured Cheddar

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Tasty Cheddar

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Tasty Cheddar

Open Country, Ched HM

Open Country, Ched J

Open Country, Ched TY

Dutch Style Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Chilli Gouda

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Gouda

Export Cheese

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - Anchor Food Professionals, AFP Gouda

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Edam 

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Kānuka Creamy Havarti

Farmhouse Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Rinded Cheddar

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Sleeping Giant

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Smoked Sleeping Giant

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, TaKenga Gold

Fresh Flavour Added Cheese

Thorvald Ltd, Valhal Fresh Goat Cheese Chilli

Zany Zeus NZ Limited, Zany Zeus Crème Fraiche

Fresh Italian-Style Cheese

Massimo's, Creamy Ricotta

Massimo's, Mascarpone

Massimo's, Bocconcini

Massimo's, Mozarella  

Fresh Unripened Cheese

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - Anchor Food Professionals,
AFP Traditional Cream Cheese 1KG

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - Anchor Food Professionals,
AFP Traditional Cream Cheese 5KG

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - Anchor Food Professionals,
AFP Traditional Cream Cheese 20KG

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - Anchor Food Professionals,
NZMP Traditional Cream Cheese 

Greek/Danish-Style or Greek-Style Cheese

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Ocean Beach Feta

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Halloumi

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Halloumi Wood Smoked

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Feta Sheep Smoked

Fernglen Farm, Fernglen Farm - Feta Sheep Cheese

Jones Family Farm, Feta with Lemon Pepper

Mainland Dairy, Mainland Haloumi

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Goat Feta 

Zany Zeus NZ Limited, Zany Zeus Creamy Feta

New Cheese

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Craggy Range Dairy Blue

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Blue Ocean

Mainland Dairy, Eltham Cheese Bar - Cockies Gold

NZ Made European - Style Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Havarti

Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth, Peccorino

Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited - NZMP Ingredients, NZMP Parmesan

Jones Family Farm, Jones Family Farm Pecorino

Meyer Cheese, Maasdam

Thorvald Ltd, Thorvald Curado

Whitestone Cheese, Creamy Havarti 

Original New Zealand Cheese

Mainland Dairy, Spring Sheep Zealandia Reserve

Retail Cheddar Cheese

Mainland Dairy, Spring Sheep Zealandia Reserve

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Cold Smoked Appletree Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Cold Smoked Pohutukawa Red

Soft Ripened Cheese

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Kahikatea Camembert

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Akatea Brie

Mainland Dairy, Eltham Cheese Bar - Summit Ash

Mainland Dairy, Mainland Special Reserve Double Cream Camembert

Mainland Dairy, Mainland Special Reserve Double Cream Brie

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Brie Single Cream

Thorvald Ltd, Thorvald Camembert

Whitestone Cheese, Mt Domett DC Brie Maxi

Whitestone Cheese, Mt Domett DC Brie 

Whitestone Cheese, Probiotic Brie 

Washed Rind Cheese

Mainland Dairy, Kāpiti Rarama

Mainland Dairy, Eltham Cheese Bar - Cockies Gold

Over the Moon, Galactic Gold

Thorvald Ltd, Valhal Odin

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NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2025