
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
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Kāinga Ora to use wool carpet in new state homes
Kāinga Ora has announced it will install wool carpet in state houses from 1 July. Photo: 123rf Kāinga Ora has announced it will use wool carpet in new state homes from July, following a directive that government agencies use wool in the construction and refurbishment of their buildings. The change in procurement rules , to make wool the preferred option in government buildings, was a directive to about 130 agencies in April and takes effect from July. On Wednesday the state housing provider announced it would follow suit, with 4500 new state houses expected to be fitted-out in the next three years. The return of wool carpets to state homes was welcomed by Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson at Fieldays the same day. "The decision is great news for sheep farmers, and all the New Zealanders whose jobs and incomes are tied to the fortunes of our world-leading wool industry," Willis said. Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said the decision was great news for sheep farmers. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii She said the government wanted wool producers to have more opportunities to supply woollen products to the construction industry "wherever practical and appropriate". "Kāinga Ora's new supplier agreement was made possible because the agency chose to re-open an initially nylon-only carpet tender and give wool a chance to compete. "I'm told woollen carpet manufacturers responded very strongly to that opportunity and that the new carpet supply agreements come with no additional cost." The new procurement requirements covered government-owned buildings that cost $9 million or more, and refurbishments of more than $100,000. A spokesperson said the total value of the Kāinga Ora contract was commercially sensitive and couldn't be disclosed. They said some contracts for carpet in homes had already been let, but under the new supply agreement newly contracted fit-outs would be met through the wool-carpet supply contract. Where nylon carpet had already been installed in existing homes Kāinga Ora would continue to use nylon carpet for single room or smaller patch repairs. File photo. A new Kāinga Ora home in Richmond, August 2023. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee Willis said the message was clear. "When wool was put back on the table it more than held its own, delivering value for taxpayers and a win for sheep farmers." She said the new policy directed government agencies to identify opportunities to use woollen products, and to properly consider a range of factors in procurement including whole-of-life cost, sustainability and health benefits. "We're leveraging government spending to back the wool industry and the New Zealand economy. I hope private businesses will follow our lead." She previously said natural qualities allowed wool to dampen sound and absorb pollutants, while woollen fibres contributed to healthier indoor environments by naturally regulating humidity and improving air quality. Patterson said the move continued to deliver on a New Zealand First and National Party coalition agreement to prefer woollen fibres in government buildings. "Woollen fibres create safer, healthier and more sustainable living environments for families." He said the sector contributed $549m to the economy in the financial year ending 2024 from exporting processed and unprocessed wool products. "The government is determined to help lift the fortunes of the strong wool sector in supporting our sheep farmers."

RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Trade Minister on latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries
money politics 31 minutes ago The latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries shows export forecasts are billions of dollars more than what was projected just months ago. Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay spoke to Corin Dann.

RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
What you need to know if your CV is less than you owe on your property
Many Auckland property owners have seen the capital value of their properties drop in the past week. Photo: RNZ Many Auckland property owners have seen the capital value, or CV, of their properties drop in the past week . Valuations have been updated for the first time since 2021, when New Zealand's property market was hitting post-Covid heights. The new CVs are dated to mid-last year, and typically dropped 9 percent, on average. For some buyers, particularly those who purchased recently, that's been uncomfortable reading. But mortgage advisers say, in general, the CV of a property doesn't matter a lot to lenders. While a drop in value would decrease an owner's equity in a property on paper, they say lenders rely on other methods to determine a property's value and the owner's stake in it. "It's yesterday's news," said David Cunningham, chief executive of Squirrel. He said while people might look at a property's CV because it was public information, it was no longer used in calculations for a mortgage. "In the old days it was but you know now you've got all these models from Cotality and Valocity and so on - and you can go on to or One Roof and find a pretty damn good valuation. They've got the benefit of being pretty much real time." He said people did not need to worry even if their CV showed they now owed more than their home was worth. He said banks talked about home loan customers being "delinquency managed" which meant that it was only if they stopped paying their home loans that the bank would investigate. Borrowers who were facing trouble with repayments should talk to the bank before that happened, he said. Some borrowers are paying low-equity premiums because they took out loans with less than 20 percent deposit. These margins can be removed once the loan is paid down, or the value of the property increases to the point where the owner has 20 percent equity. But Cunningham said the new CVs would not affect that process either. People who had built up enough equity to have the margin removed would typically be using banks' desktop valuation data to do so. "Registered valuations might come into play if it's an unusual property or in an area where there aren't a lot of property sales. So some of the more provincial locations and properties … but for major centres the valuation models, called AVMs, automated valuation models, are what the bank uses." Glen McLeod, head of Link Advisory, agreed banks would usually use desktop valuations to get an idea of the value of a property, or a registered valuation in situations where it was necessary to be precise about a value. "If you have a sale and purchase agreement for $850,000 and the registered valuation comes in at $850,000 that's what it's worth even if the CV is $750,000." Loan Market mortgage adviser Karen Tatterson agreed CVs were rarely used by banks to assess loan-to-value ratios, if ever. She said the problem was that CVs were quickly out of date. "The Auckland Council CVs that were released yesterday are based on a value ascertained approximately a year ago so they are already out of date and do no reflect the true 'market' value of the home." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.