Enter the Awards
Entries are now open for the 2026 Food Awards!
What We Look For
We're not just looking for the best thing on the shelf. We're looking for work that moves the whole sector forward. Excellence, innovation and sustainability that's real.
If that sounds like you, we’d like to hear from you.
Who Enters
The Awards cover the full food chain. From primary production through to processing, packaging, export and everything in between. The one thing they all have in common? They’re not standing still.
Why it Matters
Winning a New Zealand Food Award truly means something. Not because we say so. Judging is led by people who know the sector intimately. It’s about being part of a platform that’s actively shaping the future of food, and what Aotearoa can achieve on the global stage.
Entries open 1 May to 2 June
Owned and operated by Te Kunenga ki Purehuroa Massey University, the New Zealand Food Awards have championed innovation and excellence in Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and beverage sector for nearly four decades. Whether you are an FMCG brand, an artisan producer, a primary food grower or an ingredient supplier, the Awards offer a platform for businesses of all sizes to be recognised.
Finalists and winners receive far more than a trophy. Entry includes:
The opportunity to display the prestigious NZ Food Awards Quality Mark, a symbol of excellence in product innovation, food safety, compliance, and consumer appeal.
Invaluable compliance support—finalists receive comprehensive labelling, marketing, and facility checks from approved consultants and New Zealand Food Safety.
Exposure to over 30 expert judges from technical, scientific, culinary, and commercial fields, who offer valuable insights and feedback throughout the process.
The Awards culminate in an unmissable celebration at the New Zealand Food Awards Gala Dinner, held at Auckland’s iconic Shed 10 on Tuesday 13 October 2026. Finalists, entrants, partners and industry leaders come together for an evening of connection, conversation and celebration—offering invaluable opportunities to network with peers, forge new relationships, and be part of the conversations shaping the future of food and beverage in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Award Fees
The Product Award category entry fee is set at $155 +GST per variant. A variant refers to a single product with only minor differences, such as flavour or pack size. Additional categories may be added for the same variant at a cost of $55 +GST per category, providing greater opportunity for recognition across relevant categories.
2026 Key Dates
Entries open: 1 May – 2 June
Emerging Talent Award closes: 25 July
Judging week: 22-26 June
Finalists announced: 11 August
Gala dinner and winners announced: 13 October
The People Awards are free to enter. The Emerging Talent: Food Science and Technology category is open for nominations, which may be submitted by individuals or peers. All other People Awards are determined through judges’ selection.
The Food Technologist / Developer of the Year is identified through Product Award entries and recognises the individual named as the lead or key contributor to the development of the submitted product.
Process
Entries are open 1 May - 2 June 2026 online using our online portal. Before entering, check out the award categories and criteria, 2026 Terms and Conditions, and relevant case studies.
The steps for entry are:
Access the online portal and create a unique username and password.
Start your application; you can use the “save & exit” function to pause an incomplete entry at any time.
You must complete and submit your entry, including payment, before 5:00pm on Tuesday 2 June 2026. You will receive an email confirmation of your payment when it has been received.
Wait to receive delivery instructions for judging week, which will be emailed to you in early June.
Label as per the instructions sent to you and send your product in for judging week.
You’ll be notified on Tuesday 11 August 2026 if you have been successful in becoming a finalist.
Entrants, finalists, sponsors and industry are invited to celebrate their success and achievements at the New Zealand Food Awards gala dinner in Auckland on Tuesday 11 October 2026.
If you need assistance at any step of the way, please contact our team and we’ll happily help you out where we can.
FIND OUT MORE
Find out more about the robust judging process every product and business goes through.
Maximise your entry and view the full list of categories and criteria for this years awards.
Join us as we celebrate the 2024 finalists and announce the winners.
Stay up to date with award happenings, industry news and read thought-provoking pieces.
Case STudies
