About Us

We’re leading the search for New Zealand’s Outstanding Food Producers.

The awards – which celebrate Kiwis who harvest, grow and make food and drinks – were first held in 2017. Each year a team of specialist judges assess around 200 products, awarding the best products with an Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Gold, Silver or Bronze Medal. Products wear a medal sticker as an independent endorsement of quality.

One producer creating benchmark goods of exceptional quality will be named Supreme Champion of Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer Awards.The Supreme Champion will be chosen from five category Champions. Additionally, Special Awards and People’s Choice Awards are awarded.

Whether you’re a small producer, a large producer or grower with an established brand, if you have a product or products that you are proud of, we want to celebrate your endeavour!

Farro Earth

(Examples include fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, grains and flours, seeds, pulses, salt flakes, artisan bread and bakery products; dried fruits or herbs, sauces, preserves or drinks made with fruit, nuts, herbs, vegetables etc. Fruit and vegetable juices and olive oils. Coffee and alcoholic beverages will not be considered.)

Emerson’s Dairy

(examples include specialty cheese, organic milk or cream, goat’s milk, sheep milk, raw milk, ice-cream, yoghurt, butter, and flavoured milk drinks.)

Seafood NZ Water

(Examples include freshwater or ocean fish, shellfish. Value-added products from the waters such as; preserved and prepared seafood, pâté and prepared dishes in which the main ingredient is New Zealand caught.)

Giesen Wines Paddock

(Examples include animals and poultry bred for the table, e.g. chicken, duck, beef, pork, venison, lamb, venison, eggs. Additionally, value-added meat or poultry-based items made with sound ethics and craftsmanship. Examples: bacon and sausages, terrines, smoked, cured or dried meat products, pies, casseroles, curries, ready-to-heat and eat dishes.

Drink

(Examples include non-alcoholic drinks exlcuding coffee but including juices, tea, kombucha and kefir. Coffee and alcoholic drinks are not judged.

The Supreme Champion will receive a feature story in NZ Life & Leisure May/June issue and coverage in FMCG Business and associated publicity. Entries are open to New Zealand producers, with judging in on Saturday 7 March 2020. Gold and Silver Medallists will be named on Tuesday 31 March 2020 and category champions and special award winners on Tuesday 22 April at the Champions Party in Auckland.

NZ Life & Leisure Spirit of New Zealand Award for the entry showing excellent Kiwi ingenuity. This award is chosen by the judging panel in association with NZ Life & Leisure.

FMCG Business Outstanding New Product, for products launched in 2018 (before March 2019)

Outstanding Sustainability Award for the food or drink producer championing sustainability. This award is chosen by our sustainability judge, Emily King.

Outstanding ‘Free From’ Product, a product which is free from gluten and/or preservatives and/or additives and/or sugar

Label & Litho Outstanding Drink, awarded to the highest scoring drink produce

Fresh Start-Up Producer, for a producer who has started a new food business in the past 18 months.

Coast People’s Choice Awards

We’re calling on kiwi foodies to choose the country’s finest with a special Coast Peoples’ Choice vote. Food lovers are encouraged to vote for the Coast Outstanding Producer and Coast Outstanding Farmers’ Market.

Fly the flag for your favourite Coast Outstanding NZ Food Producer and/or Coast Outstanding Farmers Market by voting for them here.