2024 NZ Food Awards Finalists Announced
It’s an exciting time in the culinary calendar - when the finalists of the New Zealand Food Awards are announced and celebrated.
After a robust and thorough judging process, four distinct themes were highlighted across this year’s finalists: functional ingredients, foods to meet specific consumer needs, foods for convenience and foods from different cultures.
The New Zealand Food Awards Quality Mark
There were more than 300 entries from 91 companies this year, resulting in 64 outstanding finalists from across the length and breadth of the motu. This year's finalists include some big players from the Aotearoa New Zealand food and beverage industry, such as Lewis Road Creamery, My Food Bag, Silver Fern Farms, Waitoa Free Range Chicken, Beak and Johnson, Pic’s Peanut Butter, Harraways and Goodman Fielder, as well as plenty of new players to the market showcasing their latest innovations. We also have some previous winners with new products this year, such as Poaka NZ, allmite gold, Chia Sisters and Raglan Food Co.
Head Judge Kay McMath applauds this year’s entrants on the high quality of the submissions, that reflected a variety of producers across the value chain of the food and beverage industry.
“Entries ranged from new ingredients, primary products with added value, meal kits, fortified foods and beverages, convenience foods and foods for those with allergies – all designed to meet a variety of market needs.”
Ms McMath adds how much the judging panel enjoyed having the entrants’ journey narrated to them in a way that provided intricate details of each stage of the product life cycle, including the challenges they conquered along the way.
Head Judge Kay McMath explaining the judging process to judges.
“Judging the products with this knowledge gave us a much better background on the innovation, market appeal and sustainability of the entries.
“This year’s finalists demonstrate the successful progression of a new or different concept through to market launch and being cognisant of the need to meet a consumer/customer need using sustainable business and environmental practices.”
Ms McMath commends entrants on the innovation that was evident this year.
“Innovation is truly thriving among our producers, ensuring our consumers are constantly being presented with a fantastic range of new, updated and even recycled foods,” Ms McMath says.
One of the most powerful observations noted this year was the need to provide consumers with high-quality, convenient products that are both nutritious and delicious.
Finalists who exemplified this included My Food Bag’s ‘Mexi Chicken Protein Bowl’, Waitoa’s ‘Chicken Curry Flavour Kits’, New Ground’s™ ‘Boxed Coffee’, Home baker’s ‘Ready made muffin batter’, Good Chow’s ‘New Zealand Wagyu Beef Sauce’ and The Alternative Bread Company’s ‘Gluten Free Rustic White Bread Mix’.
The New Zealand Food Awards have celebrated New Zealand’s food and beverage manufacturers, focusing on innovation, excellence, and sustainability since 1987. Owned and operated by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, the awards are open to small and large food and beverage manufacturers, primary food producers, food service providers and ingredient supply companies.
Chair of the New Zealand Food Awards Governance Board and Massey University College of Sciences Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ray Geor says Massey’s ongoing commitment to supporting food producers is demonstrated through the Awardsand boosted by the powerful partner network. The Awards provide a platform for New Zealand’s food and beverage producers to showcase innovation, excellence in food product development, sustainability, packaging, nutritional benefits and more – to the world.
“Massey’s long-standing expertise in food science and product development means we support food producers and manufacturers nationwide – from the biggest national co-operative to the smallest start-up. Like them, our food technology group continue to evolve and move forward in a rapidly changing food system and production environment to ensure excellence is at the forefront,” Professor Geor says.
“The finalists this year are a testament to kiwi ingenuity and care for the consumers of food across the nation and globally. As the leading university for food technology in New Zealand, with significant expertise in sensory and consumer science, alongside our food pilot production facilities, we are well placed to recognise the effort, concerns and technical challenges the finalists have had to overcome. We respect their commitment to creating value, product benefits and healthy food for consumers and understand the triumph they feel when they bring their product to market.”
Professor Geor says he is excited to see who will be named the Massey University Supreme Award Winner at the upcoming gala dinner in October.
“The gala dinner is a fantastic opportunity for the sector to meet, connect and celebrate the best products New Zealand has to offer.“
Today, the New Zealand Food Awards also announce the finalists for the Product Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by AsureQuality. This award, which was introduced in 2019, celebrates Kiwi products that have withstood the test of time. The 2024 finalists are: Edmonds ‘Baking Powder’, Harraways ‘Rolled Oats’ and Santarium ‘Weet-Bix’.
EatKinda, a previous winner featured their plant-based frozen desserts in the dessert menu at the 2023 gala dinner.
The 10 category winners and Supreme Award winner will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on 10 October.
The gala dinner is an opportunity to connect, network and celebrate New Zealand’s most innovative food and beverage producers with guests enjoying a three-course meal, drinks and entertainment.
You’re invited to come and celebrate with these producers who are shaping and defining New Zealand’s food and beverage landscape. Tickets are on sale now.
Finalist and winning products earn the New Zealand Food Awards Quality Mark, to highlight their technical capability, consumer acceptability, regulatory compliance and food quality and safety to shoppers and industry following one of the most robust judging processes in the industry.
The awards programme is made possible with the support of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, Woolworths, Cuisine Magazine, New Zealand Food Safety, FoodHQ, New Zealand Food Innovation Network, AsureQuality, Palmerston North City Council, Auckland Conventions Venues & Events, Urban Gourmet, FMCG Business, and NZ Vegetarian Society.
2024 Finalists:
Product Awards
Artisan Award – Sponsored by Cuisine
A Lady Butcher – Salami di Birra: IPA Salami
Akaroa Salmon – Hot Smoked Mānuka Salmon Portion 180g
allmite gold – allmite gold 250g Three Seed
Bear Gelato – Horchata
Feliz Wholefoods Limited – Vutter 'Avo Spreadable'
Good Chow NZ – New Zealand Wagyu Beef Sauce - Shiitake Mushroom
Good Guise – Queso Fresco
Pepler’s – Drunk Doris Preserve
Pickled – Yellow Trees
Remarkable Cream – Cream Liqueur Chocolate Sauce (16% Alcohol / 300ml)
Tartan Sari – Rechard Masala Curry Paste & Marinade
Yum + Lake Hāwea Station – Hāwea Honeycomb Granola - 500g
Below Zero Award – Sponsored by FoodHQ
Bear Gelato – Horchata
Homemade Baker – Ready made Muffin Batter – Apple Banana Carrot
Pierogi Joint – Babushka Pierogi
Silver Fern Farms – PURE 97% Beef Sliders with Brisket
Beverage Award – Sponsored by Woolworths
Chia Sisters – Prebiotic Feijoa Smoothie
Elta Ego – Raspberry + Yuzu G&T - Alcohol-Free Adaptogenic Cocktail
Golden Bay Fruit – Apple Juice
Lewis Road Creamery – Comfort Milk – Lactose Free A2 Protein Milk
Love Muscle – Protein Water - Sparkling Pineapple
Wildwood – Feeling Dandy
Chilled Award – Sponsored by Massey University
A Lady Butcher – Salami di Birra: IPA Salami
Aoraki Salmon – BBQ & Horopito Dry Rub - Hot Smoked Salmon
Beak and Johnston Ltd – Cauliflower & Cheese Soup
Canary – Butterscotch Squeeze
Feliz Wholefoods Limited – Vutter 'Avo Spreadable'
Good Guise – Paneer
Good Guise – Queso Fresco
Raglan Food Co – Dulce de Leche Caramel Coconut Yoghurt
Silver Fern Farm – Net Carbon Zero by Nature Beef Eye Fillet Steaks
Silver Fern Farms – Net Carbon Zero by Nature Lamb Loin Fillets
Waitoa Free Range Chicken – Waitoa Flavour Kit - Thai Green Chicken Curry
Health and Wellbeing Award – Sponsored by Palmerston North City Council
Chia Sisters – Prebiotic Feijoa Smoothie
Harraways – Fibre Rich Creamy Original Oat Sachets
My Food Bag – Mexi Chicken Protein Bowl
NaturKidz – Fruit Crispz Gold Kiwi Slices
The Alternative Bread Company – Gluten Free Rustic White Bread Mix
Pantry Award – Sponsored by Woolworths
Chantal Organics – Organic Spicy Lentil Couscous & Veg Easy Bowl
Chantal Organics – Corn Puffs Churro Style
Good Chow – New Zealand Wagyu Beef Sauce - Shiitake Mushroom
Good Chow – New Zealand Truffle Soy Sauce
Harraways – Fibre Rich Creamy Original Oat Sachets
NaturKidz – Apple & Feijoa Sticks
Pepler’s – Drunk Doris Preserve
Pic’s Peanut Butter – Smoochy Peanut Butter
Pic’s Peanut Butter – Peanut & Chocolate Butter - made with Whittaker's
Remarkable Cream – Cream Liqueur Chocolate Sauce (16% Alcohol / 300ml)
The Lucky Taco – Verde Taco Kit
Treasured Morning – High Protein Superfood - Apple Crumble
Primary Sector Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety
Akaroa Salmon – Hot Smoked Mānuka Salmon Portion 180g
Next Generation Apples – Sassy™ Apples
Good Guise – Paneer
Waitoa Free Range Chicken – Waitoa Flavour Kit - Thai Green Chicken Curry
Product Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by AsureQuality
Edmonds – Baking powder
Harraways – Rolled Oats
Sanitarium – Weet-Bix
Technical Innovation Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Innovation Network
Canary – Butterscotch Squeeze
Haven – Oat Toddler Drink
Love Muscle – Protein Water - Sparkling Pineapple
New Ground™ – Boxed Coffee
Business Awards
Business Innovation Award – Sponsored by FoodHQ
Pete’s Natural
Poaka NZ Ltd
Rescued Kitchen