All aspects of sustainability are on display in this year’s New Zealand Food Awards finalists, which include Wild Venison Terrine, Beef and Blue Cheese Sausages, and Native Bush Cultured Butter.
The 63 finalists include several winners from previous years, including last year’s Massey University Supreme Award winner The Wild Fermentary and Artisan Award winners Beard Brothers. There’s also an impressive line-up of new brands and products such as House of Dumpling’s ‘Marlborough King Salmon with Edamame & Sake’, Augustines of Central’s ‘Black Doris Plums in Pinot Noir’, and Aotea Organics’ ‘Kingfish Salami’.
Head Judge Kay McMath says it was pleasing to see an increased focus on sustainability this year. Along with innovation and excellence – both small and large manufacturers were able to demonstrate these themes in their entries, she adds.
“Perhaps reflecting a market need, we received a number of products suitable for vegan diets and many that included benefits such as probiotics. All entrants are to be congratulated on meeting the judging demands of these awards. It is exciting to note the creativity that exists in food technology in New Zealand.”
Sisters Kārena and Kasey Bird, winners of NZ Masterchef in 2014, have joined the New Zealand Food Awards whānau.
“This year we joined the New Zealand Food Awards as food critic judges, giving us access to Aotearoa’s newest and most innovative food and beverage products. As first time judges, we were excited to bring a different lens to the products, as young mana Wāhine! We grew up loving all kinds of food and we are passionate about good food and good food stories. Having travelled the world experiencing many different cultures, authenticity, innovation and of course amazing taste and we are excited to showcase some amazing products being created right here in Aotearoa,” they say.
“We have no doubt, the products announced as finalists today will showcase the bounty we have in Aotearoa and also the amazing innovations we are seeing coming to the forefront in our foodscape. We can’t wait to see who takes out the top prize at the gala dinner in October.”
The New Zealand Food Awards have celebrated Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and beverage manufacturers, focusing on innovation, sustainability and excellence, since 1987. Powered by Massey University, the awards are open to small and large food and beverage manufacturers, primary food producers, food service providers, and ingredient supply companies.
Massey University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas says it’s fantastic to see sustainability continue to be a big focus in the finalists this year.
“From food manufacturing processes, packaging and food waste, the finalists have shown a real commitment to one of the pillars of the Food Awards, and an important part of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University – sustainability. The entries continue to innovate, adapt, and mitigate the impacts on the environment, in ways we’ve not seen in previous years.”
Massey’s involvement with the awards stems from the leading role the university plays at the forefront of food-related education and research in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally, Professor Thomas adds.
“Massey has set the ambitious goal of being carbon neutral by 2030, as part of our Climate Action Plan. The research and engagement activities of our academics are contributing to the development of a low-carbon society, and this is much needed in food production around the world. We have agricultural research scientists working on Massey’s farms to explore how to best reduce methane production, and all of this has an impact on how we feed our people in the future.”
Check out some of the 2022 New Zealand Food Awards finalists
See all 20 photos
Winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Palmerston North in October. Mayor Grant Smith says it’s exciting to finally host the awards after COVID-19 prevented the physical event last year, which would have been a first for the city.
“Palmerston North is looking forward to hosting the 2022 New Zealand Food Awards, an event the city has partnered with for the last seven years. We’re Aotearoa’s food science and innovation hub, and we’ve secured our place on the national map as a creative and exciting city – one with a national role in the future of food innovation and sustainability. We have more than 3000 scientists, researchers and innovators, at Food HQ and Massey University, who are all concentrating on growing the value of New Zealand’s food chain. We can’t wait for the award attendees to explore Palmy for themselves!”
Kiwis are being asked to take part in the awards’ People’s Choice campaign. The Food Hero award, sponsored by Palmerston North City Council, is awarded to people or organisations who continue to support the New Zealand food and beverage supply chain. The judges have selected our 2022 finalists, but the winner will be determined by the public. New Zealanders can vote for the finalist they believe deserves to win from 18 – 31 August.
The 11 category winners and overall Massey University Supreme Award winner will be announced at a gala dinner on 13 October, with guests enjoying a three-course meal, drinks and entertainment. Tickets are on sale here now.
Today, the New Zealand Food Awards also announce the finalists for the Product Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by AsureQuality. The award, which was introduced in 2019, celebrates Kiwi products that have withstood the test of time. The 2022 finalists are: Foxton Fizz ‘Fizz Soda Drinks’, Goodman Fielder’s ‘Edmonds Baking Powder’ and Whittaker’s ‘Whittaker’s Peanut Slab Chocolate Bar’.
Finalist and winning products earn the New Zealand Food Award’s quality mark to highlight their technical capability, consumer acceptability, regulatory compliance, and food quality and safety to shoppers and industry.
The awards’ programme is made possible with the support of Palmerston North City Council, New Zealand Food Safety, Countdown, Cuisine, BNZ, New Zealand Food Innovation Network, AsureQuality, Kiwiso, FoodHQ, Americold, FMCG Business, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, The New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology Inc., XPO Exhibitions and Villa Maria.
And the finalists are …
Product Awards
Artisan Award – Sponsored by Cuisine
Aoraki – Pōhutakawa Hot Smoked Salmon
Augustines of Central – Black Doris Plums in Pinot Noir
Beard Brothers – Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage
Bellefield Butter Co – Native Bush Cultured Butter
Feliz Wholefoods – Vutter
Honey by the Sea – Cold Mānuka Smoked Honeycomb
Little Bird Organics – Good Cookie – Double Chocolate
Mixed Roots – Spice Blend – Nice Spice
Poaka Artisan Cured Meats – Salmi Whole – Chorizo
The Taipa Salt Pig – Natural Sea Salt
The Wild Fermentary – Kefir Soda – Beet & Berry
Wild Delicious Matakana – Kimchi Original
Below Zero Award – Sponsored by FoodHQ
Black Doris – Dessert Bar – Chocolate Truffle
House of Dumplings – Marlborough King Salmon with Edamame & Sake
Little Island – Tropical Nice Blocks
Tegel Take Outs – Louisiana Style Chicken Portions
Beverage Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Innovation Network
Boring® – Barista Grade Oat Milk
Doe Nutrition – Beauty
Finery Cocktails – 0% Grapefruit, Cucumber & Mint
Good Sh*t Soda – Ginger
The Wild Fermentary – Kefir Soda – Beet & Berry
Chilled Award – Sponsored by Americold
Aoraki – Pōtukawa Hot Smoked Salmon
Aotea Organics – Kingfish Salami
Beard Brothers – Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage
Black Origin – Wagyu Ribeye Steak BMS 6-7
Dona Lou’s – Goan Chouriço
Feliz Wholefoods – Vutter
Kavita’s Kitchen – Thai Zing Curry Paste
Timos – Vegetarian Filo Parcel – Italian Risotto
Traiteur European Butchery – Wild Venison Terrine
Health and Wellbeing Award – Sponsored by Countdown
Rebel Bakehouse – Gluten Free Sourdough & Super Seeds Wraps
Rebel Bakehouse – Low Carb Max Bagels
Wild Delicious Matakana – Kimchi Original
Novel Award – Sponsored by Kiwiso
Good Sh*t Soda – Ginger
Kiwigarden – Vanilla Coconut Yoghurt Drops
Little Island – Tropical Nice Blocks
Onetai – Milk and Mānuka Honey – Original Spread
Rescued – Lemon & Gin Cupcakes
Upcycled Grain Project – Grain Crisps – Cranberry & Coconut
Pantry Award – Sponsored by Countdown
allmite gold® – Yeast Spread
Blue Frog Breakfast – Macadamia, Almond and Manuka Honey
Kai Ora Honey – Manuka Balsamic Glaze
Kiwigarden – Vanilla Coconut Yoghurt Drops
Mixed Roots – Spice Blend – Nice Spice
Mons Flavors – Dish Delicious
No Rush – Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Cubes
Rebel Bakehouse – Gluten Free Sourdough & Super Seeds Wraps
Wise Boys – Smoky Chipotle Aioli
Primary Sector Award – Sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety
Beard Brothers – Beef and Blue Cheese Sausage
Bellefield Butter Co – Honey and Lemon Cultured Butter
Bostock Brothers – Organic Free Range Chicken
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon – First of Season – Malossol Caviar
Poaka Artisan Cured Meats – Salami Whole – Chorizo
Product Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by AsureQuality
Foxton Fizz – Fizz Soda Drinks
Goodman Fielder – Edmonds Baking Powder
Whittaker’s – Whittaker’s Peanut Slab Chocolate Bar
Business Award
Business Innovation Award – Sponsored by BNZ
Bostock Brothers
Epic Coffee
Kōrure
Rescued
Community Award
Food Hero Award – Sponsored by Palmerston North City Council
KiwiHarvest
New Zealand Food Network
The Sustainable Food Co
