AUCKLAND, Today: New Zealand’s cheesemaking community had a big night at the 2026 New Zealand Cheese Awards, with the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association recognising top cheeses, cheesemakers and producers from across the country.
After a full day of judging, an expert panel worked through a record 267 entries before the evening’s top honours were handed out across a wide range of categories.
“Tonight was a truly inspiring showcase of the unparalleled quality and innovation within New Zealand’s cheesemaking community,” said Simon Berry, Chair of the NZSCA.
“The commitment to excellence, from our smallest independent producers to our larger operations, continues to elevate New Zealand’s reputation on the global stage. Each winner represents hours of dedication, skill, and an unwavering passion for creating truly exceptional cheese.”
The night’s biggest prize, the Hall’s Group Limited – Champion Commercial cheese, went to Monte Cristo from Whitestone Cheese.
Judges praised the winning cheese, remarking: ‘Whitestone have done it again with a younger version of their classic Monte Cristo – a delicate, smooth bodied, clean example that left them salivating’.
Whitestone Cheese also secured the trophy for New Zealand Original cheese, rounding out a strong showing for the producer.
Meyer Cheese took out the Woolworths Champion – Mid-Sized cheese award for its Vintage Gouda, which judges described as ‘an immaculately presented cheese – beautifully balanced with toffee caramel notes and an appealing bite’.
Craggy Range’s Pecorino claimed top honours in the Puhoi Valley – Champion Boutique cheese category, with judges praising its balance, sheep milk flavour and cheeseboard appeal.
“Tonight was a truly inspiring showcase of the unparalleled quality and innovation within New Zealand’s cheesemaking community.” – Simon Berry, Chair of the NZSCA
Among the other outstanding winners celebrated tonight were:
- Milktest – Champion Cheesemaker Trophy: Rinded Cheddar from Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
- Whitestone Cheese – New Cheese Trophy: Craggy Range Dairy Halloumi from Craggy Range Sheep Dairy
- Fonterra – Original Cheese Trophy: Monte Cristo from Whitestone Cheese
- ECOLAB – Blue Cheese Trophy: Puhoi Matakana Waxed Blue from Puhoi Valley Cheese
- Novonesis – Soft White Rind Cheese Trophy: Flat White from Belle Chevre Creamery
- Cheeselinks – Greek-Style or Danish-Style Cheese Trophy: Feta Sheep from Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth
- NZSCA – Fresh Italian-Style Cheese Trophy: Appetizer Burrata from Massimo’s
- NZSCA – Fresh Unripened Cheese Trophy: Zany Zeus Cream Cheese from Zany Zeus NZ Limited
- Mercer Cheese, Meyer Cheese, and Mahoe Cheese – Dutch-Style Cheese Trophy: Vintage Gouda from Meyer Cheese
- IXOM – European-Style Cheese Trophy: Craggy Range Pecorino from Craggy Range Sheep Dairy
- NZSCA – Farmhouse Cheese Trophy: Smoked Gouda from Meyer Cheese
- Massimo’s – Washed Rind Cheese Trophy: Little River Wildfire from Thorvald Ltd
- FOSS – Aged Flavoured Added Cheese Trophy: Smoked Rinded Cheddar from Barry’s Bay Traditional Cheese
- Big Chill – Fresh Flavoured Added Cheese Trophy: Feta Sheep Smoked from Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth
- Tetra Pak – Retail Cheddar Cheese Trophy: AFP Mild Cheddar from Fonterra Anchor Food Professionals
- Sealed Air – Bulk Cheddar Cheese Trophy: NZMP Epicure from Fonterra-NZMP Ingredients
- OJI Fibre – Best-in-Class Goat Milk Cheese: Flat White from Belle Chevre Creamery
- Maui Sheep Milk – Best-in-Class Sheep Milk Cheese: Feta Sheep Smoked from Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth
- Hill Labs – Best-in-Class Buffalo Milk Cheese: Volcano from Over the Moon
- Dominion Salt – Export Cheese Trophy: Smoked Gouda from Meyer Cheese
- Innovative Packaging – Chef’s Choice Trophy: Puhoi Matakana Waxed Blue from Puhoi Valley Cheese
- Curds & Whey – Amateur Cheesemaker Trophy: SPC Sheepishly Blue from St Peter’s College
Master Judge, Jason Tarrant, said the quality across this year’s entries was strong, with trophies spread across small, medium and large producers.
” This year’s awards have brought near record entries and the quality of the category winners didn’t disappoint. A combination of small, medium and large producers took a spread of the trophies which shows that no matter the scale of the cheesemaker, the passion to craft the best cheese in New Zealand has never been more alive.”
Cheese lovers can find many of the winners in supermarkets, specialty retailers and farmers’ markets around the country, while a full list of medal winners will be available on cheeseloversnz.co.nz from March 20, 2026.
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