About the Primary Sector Award
New Zealand Food Safety sponsors this award category, which is open to primary sector food and beverage products. It recognises researchers and manufacturers who have added value through the introduction of:
- new varieties, cultivars, or breeds
- new or alternative harvesting, processing, or packaging to extract or create new or innovative primary sector products.
Regulatory compliance, food quality, and safety is a critical part of the New Zealand Food Awards judging process.
Building a strong food safety culture in your business – NZ Food Awards blog
The 2023 finalists and winner
The Primary Sector Award winner was announced on 19 October 2023.
Royalburn Station won the award for its fine lamb.
Find all award winners and finalists – NZ Food Awards
Primary Sector Award finalists
Big Glory Bay
Fresh King Salmon Portions
Royalburn
Autumn Venison Sausage
Royalburn
Lamb Farm Sausage
Royalburn
Fine Lamb
The Collective
Splitz Bickies & Cream
The Collective
Straight Up Sour Cream
Tora Collective
Live Blackfoot Pāua (Abalone)
Tora Collective
Live Crayfish
History of the awards
New Zealand Food Safety/Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been involved with the New Zealand Food Awards for more than 17 years and has been a major sponsor of the awards since 2008. The awards are held annually to celebrates food and beverage excellence and innovation in Aotearoa. by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.
Previous award winners
2022
New Zealand Food Safety's Primary Sector Award – Poaka Artisan Cured Meats chorizo salami
A year in review with Poaka – New Zealand Food Awards blog
2021
New Zealand Food Safety’s Primary Sector Products Award – Hemp Heart, Hemp Connect
New Zealand Food Safety’s Food Safety Culture Award – Little ‘Lato
2020
New Zealand Food Safety’s Outstanding Service Award – New World Foxton.
2019
New Zealand Food Safety's Primary Sector Products Award – retail pouch of Wholegrain Quinoa, Kiwi Quinoa Limited
2018
New Zealand Food Safety's Food Safety Culture Award – Picot Productions Ltd, Nelson
New Zealand Food Safety's Primary Sector Products Award – Alliance Group Ltd, Christchurch with Te Mana Lamb
2017
MPI Food Safety Culture Award – The Pure Food Co
MPI Primary Sector Products Award – T&G Global Limited
2016
MPI Food Safety Culture Award – Open Country Dairy Ltd
MPI Primary Sector Products Award – Spring Sheep Milk Co.
2015
MPI New Cultivars/ Primary Producers Award – NZ Hothouse Ltd
2014
MPI Dell Award – A Verkerk Ltd