
Independent Cheesemakers Reign Supreme – Trophy Winners Named In NZ Champions Of Cheese Awards 2025
Press Release – NZ Specialist Cheesemakers Assn
Established by fourth-generation Otago farmers Bob and Sue Berry in the farming downturn of 1987 to diversify their business – and today managed by their son Simon the company employs more than 80 staff, with the majority in Oamaru at their factory …
Independent cheesemakers were the heroes of this year's NZ Champions of Cheese Awards, with Whitestone Cheese Co, Barrys Bay and Anabelle Exquisite Diary taking out the top three trophies. Eighteen of the Award's 24 trophies were awarded to independent producers.
Family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese Co was the big winner at the country's annual Awards, taking out five trophies, including the top award, Woolworths Champion of Champions for Whitestone Cheese Co, Monte Cristo, which also receivedtrophies for; Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese and Maui Sheep Milk Best-in-Class Sheep Milk Cheese. Judges praised sheep milk cheddar, Monte Cristo saying; 'Complex, waxy, balanced with a beautiful ivory paste. Delicious. Favourite of the day!' Whitestone Cheese Co, Pukaki Blue Brie was named FOSS Champion New Cheese and Whitestone Cheese Co cheesemaker, Jonathan Emerson was MilkTestNZ Champion Cheesemaker.
Established by fourth-generation Otago farmers Bob and Sue Berry in the farming downturn of 1987 to diversify their business – and today managed by their son Simon – the company employs more than 80 staff, with the majority in Oamaru at their factory and the Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli.
FSQSNZ Champion of Champions Mid-Sized, Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Aged Gouda, was pronounced 'delightful' by the judges who also made these tasting notes; 'Lovely chewy fudgy texture. Pronounced fruit, sweet, umami flavours. Excellent.' The Champion of Champions Mid-Sized was one of four trophies awarded to Barrys Bay. They also won: AsureQuality Champion Dutch-Style forBarrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Aged Gouda, Tetra Pak Champion Retail Cheddar Cheese for Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Canterbury Red, and Sabato Chefs' Choice with Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Parmesan.
Akaroa's Barrys Bay Cheese was founded in 1895, as one of nine small, family-owned dairy cooperatives around Banks Peninsula. Over time, these small dairy businesses closed, leaving Barrys Bay Cheese. In the early 1950s a new Barrys Bay factory was built – which is used today. Purchased by Daniel and Amy Shields in 2017, in 2020 Barry's Bay Cheese celebrated 125 years of cheesemaking. It prides itself on a commitment to traditional cheesemaking, producing handcrafted traditional cheese using fresh, Banks Peninsula milk.
Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions Boutique, Anabelle Exquisite Dairy, Cremeux Herb & Garlic received the following feedback from the judging panel; 'Lovely fresh cheese, love the fresh garlic. Cheese is smooth with a great balance of flavours and a good texture. ' Anabelle Exquisite Dairy, Cremeux Herb & Garlic was also awarded Big Chill Distribution Champion Fresh Flavour Added Cheese.
Anabelle Exquisite Dairy is a boutique producer of French-influenced fresh cheese made with sheep, goat and cow milk. Founder Anabelle David, a French-born Kiwi who moved to Aotearoa in 2007, has a Masters in Food Technology and a passion for fine cheese, which she combines in the creation of high-quality dairy products. Anabelle uses natural fermentation with live bacteria, developing cheeses suitable for various dishes, admired by cheese lovers and top chefs.
Another family-owned business to receive multiple accolades was Meyer Cheese from Waikato, which received five trophies. They were: IXOM Champion European-Style Cheese for Meyer Cheese, Maasdam, IFF Champion Farmhouse Cheese with Meyer Cheese, Smoked Gouda, FSQSNZ Champion Aged Flavour Added Cheese for Meyer Cheese, Fenugreek, their assistant cheesemaker Jarvis Whyte
was named Innovative Packaging Aspiring Cheesemaker and the company was named Woolworths Sustainability Champion.
Woolworths Sustainability Champion is assessed by a panel including Woolworths New Zealand,
Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Tami Schiefelbein. This year, the Award recognised a cheese producer embedding environmental stewardship into business practice. Bestowing the Award, the judges' note to Meyer Cheese said; 'The judging panel was impressed by your holistic, Pasture to Plate approach, which demonstrates a commitment to sustainability at every stage of production. Your long-standing legacy of environmental consciousness, dating back to the company's founding, is a testament to your genuine dedication…'
Other independent cheesemakers to be named NZ Champions of Cheese Awards Champions 2025 were:
Zany Zeus, Italian Style Ricotta, dish Champion Fresh Italian-Style Cheese
Belle Chevre Creamery, Marinated Goat Cheese, OJI Fibre Solutions Best-in-Class Goat Milk Cheese
Over the Moon Dairy, Creamy Blue, Hill Labs Best-in-Class Buffalo Milk Cheese
New Zealand's largest cheesemaker Fonterra also was recognised with the following four trophies:
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue, ECOLAB Champion Blue Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Artisan Ash Rind White, Novonesis Champion Soft White Rind Cheese
Fonterra Co-Operative Group, NZMP Traditional Cream Cheese, WINTEC Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakiri Blackcurrant Cheddar, Dominion Salt Champion Export Cheese
The Trophy announcement following 199 medals were bestowed upon 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.
Jason Tarrant said 'this year the superb quality of cheeses had the judges working overtime to separate the best of the best and confirm the Champions. It's great to see such fantastic kiwi produce being created and all trophy winners are deserving of their status among the finest NZ cheese.'
Kiwi cheese lovers will find trophy winners and NZ Champions of Cheese Awards medal winners at their local supermarkets and specialty retailers. Many local cheesemakers also sell these award-winning cheeses at their store or café, local farmers market or online. Consumers will recognise award-winning cheese because it will sport NZ Champions of Cheese trophy, gold, silver, and bronze medals – it's a consumer guarantee cheese is made in NZ, and it has been assessed by experts who affirm it is of the highest quality. Buying NZ cheese helps maintain jobs and income for Aotearoa businesses.
NZSCA Chair, Simon Lamb thanked the Awards sponsors and all the volunteer judges and stewards whose expertise made the awards possible. Without the voluntary contributions of judges and
stewards who donate their time to help find NZ's best cheeses and without whom the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards wouldn't be possible.'
Owned and managed by the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association, the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards are in their 22nd year of recognising Aotearoa's finest cheeses and shining a light on the best examples to guide consumers on purchase decisions with trophies and medals awarded to outstanding NZ Cheese.
NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2025 Champions at the are listed on cheeseloversnz.co.nz
NZ Champions of Cheese 2025 Trophies
Whitestone Cheese Co, Monte Cristo, Woolworths Champion of Champions (Commercial)
Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Aged Gouda, FSQSNZ Champion of Champions (Mid-Sized)
Anabelle Exquisite Dairy, Cremeux Herb & Garlic, Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions (Boutique)
Jonathan Emerson, Whitestone Cheese Co, MilkTestNZ Champion Cheesemaker
Whitestone Cheese Co, Monte Cristo, Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue, ECOLAB Champion Blue Cheese
Whitestone Cheese Co, Pukaki Blue Brie, FOSS Champion New Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Artisan Ash Rind White, Novonesis Champion Soft White Rind Cheese
Puhoi Valley Cheese, Cow's Milk Feta, Cheeselinks Champion Greek-Style or Danish-Style Cheese
Zany Zeus, Italian Style Ricotta, dish Champion Fresh Italian-Style Cheese
Fonterra Co-Operative Group, NZMP Traditional Cream Cheese, WINTEC Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese
Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Aged Gouda, AsureQuality Champion Dutch-Style Cheese
Meyer Cheese, Maasdam, IXOM Champion European-Style Cheese
Meyer Cheese, Smoked Gouda, IFF Champion Farmhouse Cheese
Over the Moon Dairy, Galactic Gold, Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese
Meyer Cheese, Fenugreek, FSQSNZ Champion Aged Flavour Added Cheese
Anabelle Exquisite Dairy, Cremeux Herb & Garlic, Big Chill Distribution Champion Fresh Flavour Added Cheese
Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Canterbury Red, Tetra Pak Champion Retail Cheddar Cheese
Open Country, Ched M (Matured Cheddar), Sealed Air Champion Bulk Cheddar Cheese
Belle Chevre Creamery, Marinated Goat Cheese, OJI Fibre Solutions Best-in-Class Goats Milk Cheese
Whitestone Cheese Co, Monte Cristo, Maui Sheep Milk Best-in-Class Sheep Milk Cheese
Over the Moon Dairy, Creamy Blue, Hill Labs Best-in-Class Buffalo Milk Cheese
Fonterra Brands New Zealand, Kāpiti Pakiri Blackcurrant Cheddar, Dominion Salt Champion Export Cheese
NZ Champions of Cheese 2025 Special Awards are:
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Christchurch community have their say on council's new alcohol policy draft
Council staff confirmed the draft LAP would not affect the remote sale of alcohol. Photo: 123RF Wayne Hawker tearfully recounted losing his former son-in-law to alcohol abuse while calling on the Christchurch City Council to clamp down on liquor sales in the city. The Christchurch man recalled his family's pain during a hearing on the council's draft local alcohol policy (LAP). The council had proposed ending alcohol sales at off-licence premises - such as bottle shops and supermarkets - at 9pm, as well as introducing a moratorium on new bottle stores in deprived areas and restricting their proximity to schools and addiction services. Current trading hours in the city were 7am to 11pm. Hawker was among the 415 people, businesses and organisations who made submissions on the council's proposal. On Wednesday, he told councillors he lost his former son-in-law to alcohol abuse and easy access to alcohol destroyed lives. "Our daughter... lost someone she thought was her soulmate. Our three grandchildren... 12, 10 and 8 at the time, lost their father. It can be squarely blamed on alcohol," he said. He urged city councillors to further restrict liquor sales, saying supermarkets did not need to sell alcohol as early as 7am. During the hearing, councillors heard varying views from community board members, alcohol harm advocates, business leaders and members of the public. Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Andrew Galloway commended the council on its draft LAP, but called for restricting premises to 9am opening and rules which prevented new stores from clustering in the same areas. Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board chair Paul McMahon supported the proposals, but urged councillors to further restrict new bottle shops in high deprivation areas to prevent them from becoming "stacked up on the edges" nearby. He also asked councillors to consider restricting alcohol deliveries via apps like Uber Eats. Council staff confirmed the draft LAP would not affect the remote sale of alcohol. Hospitality New Zealand central South Island regional manager Nikki Rodgers said the organisation supported the council's draft LAP. "We particularly appreciate the clarity around off-licence provisions, acknowledging the freeze on new licences, while still allowing new renewals and licences upon change of ownership. This provides essential certainty for existing operators and future investors," she said. Deputy mayor Pauline Cotter asked Rodgers what she thought about McMahon's proposal for greater restrictions in high deprivation areas. Rodgers said it would be hard to put such a restriction in place, given potential population growth. Foodstuffs South Island head of retail Kent Mahon said nine of the company's 18 Christchurch supermarkets would be affected by the 9pm closing time. The changes might lead to stores closing at 9pm, he said. If those stores were to remain open after 9pm, customers might be confused by the rules, leading to staff being abused as a result, Mahon said. "A customer loads up their shop, there's a bottle of wine in there at 9 or 8.58pm, and they can't process that whole transaction through," he said. "We all read the media, and there is abuse towards staff in our stores. Those staff would need to manage that inconsistent messaging." Councillor Sara Templeton. Photo: screenshot / Stuff Councillor Sara Templeton said apart from the potential for conflict for supermarket staff, it did not sound like the changes would have much effect on the stores. Some Super Liquor operators also addressed their concerns with the LAP. Super Liquor Ilam and Hornby co-owner John Symon told councillors he would willingly support closing stores at 9pm, so long as the council put those same restrictions on alcohol deliveries. "It seems ludicrous that on a remote licence you can supply alcohol up to 11 o'clock at night," he said. He supported the idea of preventing new outlets from opening in high deprivation areas, so long as it applied to supermarkets, and said he supported the idea of a 500-metre buffer zone around those areas. Super Liquor Holdings' national operations manager Greg Hoar said delivery drivers should be restricted from delivering alcohol at the same time stores were shut. The company did not agree with restricting new outlets based on deprivation, Hoar said. He described the approach as "one-sided", since the LAP would not put the same restrictions on on-licence premises or new supermarkets. "You have to be 18 to enter into an off-licence premises or with a legal guardian, yet you can walk past outlets or through a liquor section of a supermarket without being questioned," Hoar said. "We have clean sites with no branding of beers, RTD and wines on our buildings, yet I can walk past an on-licence premises and see people smoking and drinking outside with happy hour signs, or waltz into a supermarket." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Was former governor Adrian Orr's resignation mishandled by the Reserve Bank?
Adrian Orr. Photo: The Reserve Bank's board is being taken to task for its handling of the surprise resignation of former governor Adrian Orr. Documents released under the Official Information Act showed Orr disagreed with the board over a large cut to the central bank's funding from the government. A former senior staffer at the RBNZ and stern critic of the governor Michael Reddell said Orr was right to go if he felt strongly, but the board mishandled the whole issue. "This is the first time we've learned of it," Reddell said. "I mean, it's over three months now since Adrian [Orr] resigned, it's almost two months since the funding agreement for the bank was released. "There's absolutely no reason why we shouldn't have been given this story at least two months ago." The RBNZ's chair Neil Quigley declined to be interviewed. Reddell said the RBNZ had become bloated under Orr and needed its spending cut. The head of well-known economic consultancy Brad Olsen also felt the RBNZ could have handled Orr's departure better by being more upfront. He said the reason for Orr's resignation was not surprising and was what many had suspected. Brad Olsen. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone "Why did it take this long to confirm that expectation?" Olsen asked. "There surely would have been no harm in discussing it at the time [of Orr's resignation]," he said. "There was a clear difference of opinion, it didn't work out and therefore things needed to change." Olsen said comments made by the RBNZ at the time of Orr's departure "doesn't really wash" with what he had seen in the documents released on Wednesday. However, Olsen also said Orr was right to resign if he felt he could no longer do the job. "I actually think that Adrian Orr made 100 percent the right move though," Olsen said. "If he's not happy and wasn't as governor in his position with what was coming down, what he would have to sign up to and similar, then the right move was to step aside." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Concerns KiwiSaver is being used as 'piggy bank' to solve financial woes
In April, 4220 people withdrew savings for financial hardship reasons, up from 3700 in April 2024. Photo: 123rf KiwiSaver is in danger of being considered a "piggy bank" to solve all of New Zealanders' financial woes, one provider says, and too many people are tapping into their savings on hardship grounds. Founder of Kōura KiwiSaver scheme Rupert Carlyon was wary of calls for settings to be changed to allow people to use their [ money to buy farms]. He said KiwiSaver was already being called on to solve the country's housing and infrastructure crises. Carlyon said changing the rules to allow more withdrawals sent the wrong message to people, who should be using KiwiSaver for their retirement. Instead, they were tapping into KiwiSaver in growing numbers. In April, 4220 people withdrew savings for financial hardship reasons, up from 3700 in April 2024. They withdrew a combined $37.6 million. "It encourages more and more people to think about it like a piggybank. It's scary what's happening in that space," he said. He said he saw people making repeated hardship withdrawals, depleting their balance. "People come back multiple times with the same claims… it's hard to figure out what's real and what's not." He said it would now not be possible to close the "hardship loophole" because people expected it to be available and any change could dent confidence in the scheme. But he said it should be tightened up so there was a limit on the number of withdrawals that could be made within a certain timeframe. "The other part is it's very resource intensive. We spend on average up to six hours per financial hardship claim... It's hard on staff because they often have to say no when they want to say yes." A spokesperson for Public Trust, one of the KiwiSaver supervisors, said people were not required to repay hardship withdrawals if it was found they were not necessary. "Their future self might not thank them for dipping into their retirement savings. We see situations of real and urgent need… there are strict rules and checks in place to help ensure withdrawals are only approved for genuine financial hardship, and applicants need to sign a legal declaration confirming their situation. "If someone doesn't use funds as intended, it could affect their ability to make another hardship withdrawal in the future." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.