About Our Partners
The partner network represents a body of industry experts, each playing an important role in the New Zealand food and beverage value chain. This network adds knowledge, credibility and influence to the New Zealand Food Awards programme. They help deliver the resources and support needed to continue developing products at the forefront of New Zealand’s food and beverage industry.
Principal Partner
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University has provided world-class education for more than 100 years. Today they offer a multitude of on-campus and online study programmes to students in New Zealand and around the world. They are proud to be internationally recognised for the calibre of their education and leadership in pure and applied research, which they undertake in partnership with industries and the communities we serve.
Massey University's ownership of the New Zealand Food Awards stems from the leading role it plays at the forefront of food-related education and research in New Zealand and globally. It reflects the university's commitment to promoting innovation in the food industry and supporting the growth and development of this important sector of New Zealand's economy. From food science and product development to nutrition and dietetics, as well as farming and horticulture, Massey University’s name is synonymous with New Zealand’s innovative food sector and has been for decades. Massey University is also home to the largest collection of pilot-scale food processing equipment in the Southern Hemisphere.
Strategic Partners
Countdown is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest employers with over 21,000 team members across 186 stores, distribution centres, processing plants, and support offices. Countdown serves around three million customers every week and works with hundreds of local food producers and suppliers. Across its business, Countdown's committed to helping make Aotearoa a great place to live, where our people and environment thrive. Countdown plays an important role in getting food and beverages from producers to consumers, and in doing so, showcases New Zealand’s innovative food and beverage businesses.
Cuisine is Aotearoa New Zeaand’s premium food and drink magazine, produced bi-monthly by people who really LOVE food. First published in 1987, Cuisine is packed with New Zealand flavour; its pages contain everything you need to know about food #Cuisinestyle - what to cook, where to eat and the latest food and drink news. The Cuisine brand is synonymous with good food and beverages made of quality ingredients so their input in judging the Artisan Award is an obvious, natural fit.
Palmerston North (or as they like to call it, Palmy) is a well-established food innovation ecosystem – from farming and agriculture to transport, distribution and logistics; education and training; and much more. Their unique geographic location enables the city to lead the future growth of a range of industries that follow the food innovation spearhead. Palmy is home to New Zealand Food Awards owners Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University and fellow partner Food HQ. The city has more than 3000 scientists, researchers and innovators all concentrating on growing the food chain in Aotearoa.
Category Partners
New Zealand Food Safety/ Haumaru Kai Aotearoa is part of the Ministry for Primary Industries. Under New Zealand law, the food industry is responsible for producing safe and suitable food and complying with standards. New Zealand Food Safety oversees the food safety system, setting the regulatory standards and verifying they are met. They also actively work with industry to develop food safety guidance, promote food safety culture and monitor food safety and suitability. Their input into the judging of the New Zealand Food Awards is invaluable.
FoodHQ wants to help Aotearoa realise it’s collective food innovation potential. A collaborative partnership involving much of New Zealand’s food science and innovation capability, they are a long-standing partner of the New Zealand Food Awards. They also sponsor the Below Zero Award.
AsureQuality offers a broad range of food assurance services which support New Zealand’s food, beverage and primary producers to uphold what Aotearoa stands for in food – a higher standard of quality and safety. Their services cover the entire food supply chain and include audit, inspection, certification, farm assurance, industry training, assurance mark traceability, diagnostics and laboratory testing. AsureQuality are proud to be part of the New Zealand Food Awards and sponsor of the Product Lifetime Achievement Award.
The New Zealand Food Innovation Network (NZFIN) helps ambitious Food and Beverage companies to innovate, grow and achieve international success at scale. As a government-industry partnership, it acts as a catalyst for the food and beverage sector to ensure that it continues to thrive. NZFIN provides advice, connections and complete solutions to our clients including the use of our state-of-the-art pilot food processing facilities for trials, or even commercial production and export. NZFIN has been a long-term partner of the New Zealand Food Awards and is thrilled to be sponsoring the Technical Innovation category to celebrate companies that have overcome technical challenges in their product development.
Event Partners
Media Partner
FMCG Business is proud to partner with the New Zealand Food Awards to support emerging and established producers, helping them to continue developing products at the forefront of New Zealand’s food and beverage industry. FMCG Business is a quality bi-monthly magazine delivering a local and international perspective on the food, beverages, grocery and retail industries in New Zealand and beyond. It is supported by a dedicated digital presence, daily news updates, weekly e-Newsletters and social media channels engaging an even wider audience. FMCG Business reaches local food producers and growers, decision makers, influencers and retail managers. The New Zealand Food Awards are very grateful to have FMCG Business’s support in promoting the programme and helping to celebrate our finalists and winners annually - since 2016.
Urban Gourmet is a renowned Auckland-based company that specialises in delivering exceptional catering services. With over 20 years’ experience in the industry, they have established a reputation for offering creative, modern, and inspiring menus that are flawlessly executed from start to finish. Using only the best seasonal ingredients, their dedicated team of chefs create sensational taste experiences that are sure to impress. As a trusted partner in delivering unforgettable dining experiences, Urban Gourmet's talented chefs, event managers, and service staff work collaboratively with clients to ensure every detail is taken care of. Whether it is catering at your location or an event in one of Auckland's most iconic venues, Urban Gourmet guarantees a seamless journey that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. Urban Gourmet are proud to align with the renowned awards programme and is excited to be a part of showcasing wonderful New Zealand companies who are at the cutting edge of innovation, and sustainability.
Villa Maria's 60-year journey at the forefront of New Zealand's wine industry has shaped the company as it stands today. The extensive Villa Maria Family of Wineries portfolio is arguably the most stylistically diverse and highly awarded range of premium wines by any New Zealand producer, fuelling consumer adoration and success across the globe. Villa Maria is proud to help enable its fine wine to be enjoyed by guests at the New Zealand Food Awards Gala Dinner annually.
Affiliate Partners
The NZ Vegetarian Society's mission is to promote vegetarianism (including veganism), reduce cruelty to animals, improve human health, protect the environment, and preserve world resources. They achieve this by encouraging plant-based choices through education, information, support, campaigns, and research. NZVS offer Vegan Certified and Vegetarian Approved product certification, which offers clarity for consumers to make informed choices for their health, animal welfare, and the environment. Their sponsorship of the Awards steams from their commitment to promote sustainability and celebrate vegetarian and vegan options within the wider food industry.
Since 1964, NZIFST has connected technical professionals throughout the food industry. Members apply science and technology to the manufacture and production of food. NZIFST created the Food Awards in 1987, running the event until 1999. Many members have strong links to Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, so in 2002 when Massey took ownership of the awards, it was so to progress the goals of supporting innovation and excellence in the development of new foods for the domestic and international marketplace. NZIFST is proud to partner with the New Zealand Food Awards to support the people behind the products.
