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 convivence and foods from different cultures.

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.

“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.

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’.

The 10 category winners and Supreme Award winner will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on 10 October, with guests enjoying a three-course meal, drinks and entertainment.

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.

Meet some of our finalists!

Full list of finalists:

Product Awards

Artisan Award – Sponsored by Cuisine

A Lady Butcher – Salami di Birra: IPA Salami

allmite gold – allmite gold 250g Three Seed

Akaroa Salmon – Hot Smoked Mānuka Salmon Portion 180g

Bear Gelato – Horchata

Feliz Wholefood 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 Wholefood Limited – Vutter 'Avo Spreadable'

Good Guise – Paneer

Good Guise – Queso Fresco

Raglan Food Co – Delce 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

Primary Sector Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety

Akaroa Salmon – Hot Smoked Mānuka Salmon Portion 180g

Golden Bay Fruit – 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