The 2025 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards have delivered a delicious verdict – independent, family-owned cheesemakers are leading the way. With 18 of 24 trophies snapped up by artisan producers, Whitestone Cheese Co, Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese and Anabelle Exquisite Dairy topped the podium with standout entries that wowed the judges.
From aged goudas to herbed crème cheeses, this year’s winners are a celebration of passion, craftsmanship and local excellence.
Five Trophies – Whitestone
Family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese Co was the big winner, taking out five trophies, including the top award, Woolworths Champion of Champions for its Monte Cristo, which also received trophies 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 won 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.
Chef’s Choice – Barrys Bay
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 for Barrys 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.
Balance & Texture – Anabelle
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.
Multiple Accolades – Meyer
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
Fonterra
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 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.”
Many local cheesemakers sell their award- winning cheeses at their store or café, local farmer’s market or online. Consumers will recognise award-winning cheese because it will sport NZ Champions of Cheese trophy, gold, silver, and bronze medals. 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.”
NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2025 Champions at the are listed on:- cheeseloversnz.co.nz
