NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2025

Almost 200 NZ cheeses are entitled to gold, silver and bronze wear medals to affirm their quality following the judging of the New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards 2025

Medals were bestowed upon 199 of the country's finest cheeses after evaluation of over 240 locally produced cheeses. The awards, managed by the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association, highlighted exceptional quality and innovation in the local cheese industry.  

Assessment was conducted at Hamilton’s WINTEC in early March with Master Judge Jason Tarrant guiding thirty judges, supported by 20 stewards, through an evaluation of 240 NZ-made cheeses.

 
 

 
 
 

IXOM European Style Cheese

Hōhepa Hawkes Bay, Vintage Danbo

Jones Family Farm Creamy Havarti

Meyer Cheese, Maasdam

 

Tetra Pak Retail Cheddar Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Canterbury Red

 

SEE Bulk or Large Block Cheddar

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Mild Cheddar

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Epicure

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Special Reserve Cheddar

Open Country, Ched M (Mature Cheddar)

Open Country Dairy, Ched D (Medium Cheddar)

 

IFF Farmhouse Cheese

Meyer Cheese, Smoked Gouda

 

Thermaflo Washed Rind                      

Over the Moon Dairy, Galactic Gold

 

Big Chill Distribution Champion Fresh Flavour Added Cheese

Anabelle’s Exquisite Dairy, Cremeux, Garlic and Herb

Belle Chevre Creamery, Marinated Goat Cheese

Anabelle’s Exquisite Dairy, Bouchees, Black Garlic and Truffle

 

FSQS Aged Flavour Added Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Cold Smoked Manuka Havarti

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Clive Cumino

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakari Blackcurrant Cheddar

Gibbston Valley Cheese, Smokey Gold

Hōhepa Hawkes Bay, Cumin

Hōhepa Hawkes Bay, Fenugreek

Jones Family Farm, Peppered Havarti

Meyer Cheese, Fenugreek

Meyer Cheese, Chilli Gouda

Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Pepper

 

Dominion Salt Champion Export Cheese

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakari Blackcurrant Cheddar

Fonterra Co-Operative Group, NZMP Brine Salt Gouda  

Curds & Whey Amateur Cheesemaker (Judged October 2024)

St Peter's College, Auckland; Baby Blue

Fonterra Co-operative Group Original Cheese

Whitestone Cheese, Monte Cristo

ECOLAB Champion Blue Cheese

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Awa Tangy Blue

Whitestone Cheese, Shenley Station

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Artisan Bridge Street Blue;

Whitestone Cheese, Highland Blue

 

FOSS New Cheese

Whitestone Cheese, Pukaki Blue Brie

 

Novonesis Soft Ripened Cheese

Belle Chevre Creamery, Manaia Ma

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Artisan Ash Rind White

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Bouton d'or - Double Cream Camembert

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Single Cream Camembert

Whitestone Cheese, Benmore Brie

 

Cheeselinks Greek or Danish Style Cheese

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Ocean Beach Feta

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Mainland Traditional Crumbly Feta;

Over the Moon Dairy, Halloumi

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Cows Milk Feta 

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Goat’s Milk Feta

Thorvald, Sheep Feta

Whitestone Cheese, Ferry Road Halloumi 

 

dish Champion Fresh Italian-Style Cheese

Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Mozzarella

Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Bocconcini;

Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Cherry Bocconcini

Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Burrata

Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Burratina

Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Stracciatella

Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Ricotta

Zany Zeus, Italian Style Ricotta 

WINTEC Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese

Fonterra Co-Operative Group, NZMP Traditional Cream Cheese

Zany Zeus, Crème Fraiche

 

AsureQuality Champion Dutch-Style Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Aged Gouda

Mahoe Cheese, Edam

Mahoe Cheese, Mature Edam

Meyer Cheese, Vintage Cumin

Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Cumin/Leyden

Mahoe Cheese, Very Old Edam

Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Vintage Gouda

Meyer Cheese, Tasty Gouda


 

IXOM European Style Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Gruyere

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Parmesan

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kānuka Creamy Havarti

 

Tetra Pak Retail Cheddar Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Onawe Aged Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Wainui Vintage Cheddar

 

SEE Bulk or Large Block Cheddar

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Mild Cheddar

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Organic Cheddar

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Coloured Cheddar

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Mild Cheddar

Open Country, Ched HM (Mild Cheddar)

 

IFF Farmhouse Cheese

Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Vintage Maasdam

 

Thermaflo Washed Rind

Cranky Goat, Cullensville Gold

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Rarama

 

Big Chill Distribution Champion Fresh Flavour Added Cheese

Over the Moon Dairy, Smoked Chilli Camembert

Over the Moon Dairy, Pink Peppercorn Brie

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Pesto Cow Feta

 

FSQS Aged Flavour Added Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Cold Smoked Appletree Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Cold Smoked Pohutukawa Red

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Live Chive Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Paprika Havarti

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Peppered Havarti

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Smoked Rinded Cheddar

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kakato Cumin Seed Gouda

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kānuka Smoked Havarti

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakari Smoked Cheddar

Gibbston Valley Cheese, Chilli Havarti

Meyer Cheese, Cracked Pepper

Dominion Salt Champion Export Cheese

Meyer Cheese, Vintage Waikato

Meyer Cheese, Waikato Cumin

Fonterra Co-Operative Group, NZMP Edam

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kānuka Smoked Havarti

 

Curds & Whey Amateur Cheesemaker (Judged October 2024)

St Peter's College, Auckland; Mountain Road Blue    

Fonterra Co-operative Group Original Cheese

Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Pumahana

Whitestone Cheese, Aged Airedale

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Egmont Cheese

 

ECOLAB Champion Blue Cheese

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Te Mata Blue

Hōhepa Hawkes Bay, Hōhepa Blue

Mahoe Cheese, Mahoe Blue

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Pakiri

Puhoi Valley Cheese; Puhoi Valley Matakana

Over the Moon Dairy, Creamy Blue

Whitestone Cheese, Windsor Blue 

Whitestone Cheese, Moeraki Bay Blue

Whitestone Cheese, Pukaki Blue Brie

 

FOSS New Cheese

Fernglen Farm, Farmhouse Sheep Cheese

 

Novonesis Soft Ripened Cheese

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Akatea Brie

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kahotea Extra Creamy Brie

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Double Cream Brie

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Single Cream Brie

Whitestone Cheese, Lindis Pass Brie

Whitestone Cheese, Lindis Pass Cam

Whitestone Cheese, Mt Domett DC Brie (Maxi)

Whitestone Cheese, Mt Domett DC Brie (125 g)

Whitestone Cheese, Probiotic Brie

 

Cheeselinks Greek or Danish Style Cheese

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Mainland Haloumi

Hōhepa Hawkes Bay, Feta

Zany Zeus, Halloumi

Zany Zeus, Creamy Feta 

  

dish Champion Fresh Italian-Style Cheese

Massimo's Italian Cheeses, Mozzarella Log

WINTEC Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese

Cranky Goat, Soft Goat Cheese Provencal

Fonterra Co-operative Group, Anchor Traditional Cream Cheese 1kg

Fonterra Co-operative Group, Anchor EasyMix Cream Cheese

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Traditional Cream Cheese

Zany Zeus, Indian Style Paneer

Zany Zeus, Cream Cheese

 

AsureQuality Champion Dutch-Style Cheese

Meyer Cheese, Mild Gouda

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Aged Cumin Gouda

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Chilli Gouda

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Gouda

Karikaas Natural Dairy Products, Gouda

Meyer Cheese, Goats Milk

Mahoe Cheese, Gouda

Meyer Cheese, Cumin Gouda

Meyer Cheese, Vintage Gouda

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kakato Gouda

The Cheese Barn Organic Garlic & Chives Gouda 

 

 

Fonterra Co-operative Group Original Cheese

Gibbston Valley Cheese, New Balfour Sheep Milk

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Tasty Lite

 

ECOLAB Champion Blue Cheese

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kahurangi Creamy Blue

Gibbston Valley Cheese, Gibbston Valley Kawarau Blue

Over the Moon Dairy, Buffalo-Cow Blue

Whitestone Cheese, Oamaru Blue

 

FOSS New Cheese

No medals awarded

 

Novonesis Soft Ripened Cheese

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kahikatea Camembert

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Mainland Special Reserve Double Cream Brie

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Mainland Special Reserve Double Cream Camembert

Over the Moon Dairy, Black Truffle Brie

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Traditional Brie

Thorvald, Camembert

Whitestone Cheese, Probiotic Camembert

Whitestone Cheese, Waitaki Camembert

 

Cheeselinks Greek or Danish Style Cheese

Over the Moon Dairy, Goat Feta

Puhoi Valley Cheese, Puhoi Valley Fiddlers Hill Fresh Goat's Cheese

Zany Zeus, Classic Feta

 

dish Champion Fresh Italian-Style Cheese

No medals awarded

 

WINTEC Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese

Zany Zeus, Sour Cream

 

AsureQuality Champion Dutch-Style Cheese

Meyer Cheese, Sheep Milk

Mahoe Cheese, Cumin Gouda

The Cheese Barn Organic Gouda

IXOM European Style Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Aged Maasdam

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Pecorino

Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, Maraetotara Manchego

Gibbston Valley Cheese, Gibbston Gold

Hōhepa Hawkes Bay, Danbo

Tetra Pak Retail Cheddar Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Sharp Cheddar

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Mainland Tasty Cheddar

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Mainland Special Reserve Smoked Cheddar

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakari Aged Cheddar

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Te Tihi Premium Aged Cheddar

SEE Bulk or Large Block Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Mature Rinded Cheddar

Fonterra Co-operative Group, NZMP Tasty Cheddar

Open Country, Ched HM (Aged Tasty)

 

IFF Farmhouse Cheese

Over the Moon Dairy, Double Delight

Over the Moon Dairy, O.M.G. Triple Cream Brie

 

Thermaflo Washed Rind
Thorvald, Little River Wildfire

 

Big Chill Distribution Champion Fresh Flavour Added Cheese

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Mainland Special Reserve Chilli & Garlic Brie

Zany Zeus, Fresh Mint Feta

 

FSQS Aged Flavour Added Cheese

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, 3 Boys Oyster Stout Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Chilli Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Cracked Pepper Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Cumin Spice Cheddar

Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Wood Smoke Cheddar

Jones Family Farm Chilli Havarti

Meyer Cheese, Garlic & Chives

Dominion Salt Champion Export Cheese

Meyer Cheese, Maasdam 

Fonterra Co-Operative Group, NZMP Edam

Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kānuka Creamy Havarti

Curds & Whey Amateur Cheesemaker

Mark Hollands, Wintec Hamilton, Smoked Gouda

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NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2024