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