The 2026 New Zealand Outstanding Food Producer Awards winners

Cheers to the winners of the 2026 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards!

The judges had a tough task deciding the winners this year, with 327 products from Kiwi producers and an outstandingly high quality of entries.

The Champion Awards were announced, hosted by our own Lorna Riley, with Monty & Sons Radiatori pasta taking out the top spot and being crowned Leefield Station Supreme Champion. 

Amongst the awards announced last night were two awards voted on by Kiwi foodies.

Coast Kiwis Favourite Food Producer is the Kutai Guy. A popular choice with judges too, The Kutai Guy was also awarded one Gold and three Silver Medals for their smoked mussels.

The 2026 Coast Kiwis Favourite Farmers Market is Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market. One of New Zealand’s oldest and largest markets, visitors are guaranteed a wide range of regional produce.

Next time you're looking for a delectable dinner or luscious lunch, look out for Kiwi-made products with the Champion, Gold, Silver and Bronze Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards medals for produce made in New Zealand, with aroha.

Read on for the full list of awards and champions.

Outstanding Food Producer Awards 2026 Champions:

Leefield Station Supreme Champion: Monty & Sons, Radiatori Pasta 
                                              
dish Hero Ingredient Champion: Fernglen Farm, Labneh (the Wairarapa)

Leefield Station Dairy Champion: Dreamview Creamery, Natural Probiotic Yoghurt with Boysenberry Compote (Raglan)

Emerson’s Paddock Champion: Conscious Valley, Conscious Valley Lamb shoulder pack (Ohariu Valley)

Seafood New Zealand Seafood Champion: Southern Clams, Littleneck clams (Dunedin)

Label & Litho Drinks Champion: Mons Flavors, Golden Honey (Rotorua)

Dairy Free Champion: Raglan Food Co, Vanilla Bean Coconut Yoghurt (Raglan)

Chocolate Bonbon Champion: Mind Your Temper, Miso Lemon Hazelnut Bonbon (Canterbury)

Chocolate Bean-to-Bar Champion: Baron Hasselhoff's Butter Boom, Burnt butter & Cinnamon Chocolate bar (Wellington)

Free-From Champion: Eat My Cake, Coconut Chocolate Brownie (Matakana)

BYD Auto New Zealand Sustainability Champion: Hōhepa Hawkes Bay (Hawke’s Bay)

FMCG Business New Product Champion: Barkers of Geraldine, Raspberry & Lemonade Slushie (Geraldine)

Boutique New Product Champion: Pauline's Pasticerria, Savoury Tart Shells (Auckland)

Coast NZ Kiwis Favourite Food Producer: The Kutai Guy (Northland)

Coast Kiwis Favourite Farmers Market: Hawke's Bay Farmers Market (Hawke's Bay)

The competition for the 2026 New Zealand Outstanding Food Producer Awards was yet again full of tasty talent and exquisite creations for the judges to assess.