New Zealand Food Awards
The New Zealand Food Awards celebrate New Zealand food and beverage innovation. One of the categories – the Primary Sector Award – is sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety. Find out about the awards, this year's finalists, and previous winners.
About the Primary Sector Award
New Zealand Food Safety sponsors this award category at the New Zealand Food Awards. This category is open to primary sector food and beverage products.
The award recognises producers, researchers, and manufacturers who have added value through the introduction of new varieties, cultivars, or breeds. Alternatively, it recognises the introduction of innovative products through new or different harvesting, processing, packaging, or distribution channels.
Regulatory compliance, food quality, and safety are a critical part of the New Zealand Food Awards judging process.
Primary Sector Award 2025 finalists
The finalists were announced on 12 August.
Aoraki Salmon
Blackcurrant with kamahi honey – cold-smoked salmon
Gut Comfort
Kiwi digestive powder
Kiwi Sorbet
Kiwi sorbet red
Kiwi sorbet green
Mitchells Nutrition
Beef tallow
Mīti
Smokey kānuka and honey beef bites
Airborne Honey
Manuka honey MGO 300+
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 16 October in Palmerston North.
History of the awards
New Zealand Food Safety and MPI have been major sponsors of the New Zealand Food Awards since 2008. The awards are held annually to celebrate food and beverage excellence and innovation in Aotearoa. The awards are hosted by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.
Posts from the NZ Food Awards blog
Harvesting success: A glance back at Next Generation Apples’
From Orchard to Market: The Role of Food Safety in Global Trade
Looking back on a year of an award-winning business – Royalburn Station
Previous finalists and winners
2024 Winner: Primary Sector Award
2023 winner: primary sector award
2022 to 2018 winners
2022
Poaka Artisan Cured Meats chorizo salami
A year in review with Poaka – NZ Food Awards blog
2021
Food Safety Culture Award: Little ‘Lato
Primary Sector Products Award: Hemp Heart, Hemp Connect
2020
Outstanding Service Award: New World Foxton
2019
Primary Sector Products Award: Retail pouch of Wholegrain Quinoa, Kiwi Quinoa Limited
2018
Food Safety Culture Award: Picot Productions Ltd
Primary Sector Products Award: Alliance Group Ltd with Te Mana Lamb
2017 to 2014 winners
2017
Food Safety Culture Award: The Pure Food Co
Primary Sector Products Award: T&G Global Limited
2016
Food Safety Culture Award: Open Country Dairy Ltd
Primary Sector Products Award: Spring Sheep Milk Co.
2015
New Cultivars/ Primary Producers Award: NZ Hothouse Ltd
2014
Dell Award: A Verkerk Ltd