Enter the Awards
Entries NOW OPEN
Entries for the 2025 New Zealand Food Awards open 9am 1 May 2025 and close 5pm 3 June 2025.
Owned and operated by Te Kunenga ki Purehuroa Massey University, the Awards have proudly celebrated innovation and excellence in Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and beverage sector for over 35 years. From FMCG brands and artisan producers to primary food growers and ingredient suppliers—there’s a place for every business 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 a celebration of the industry's success at the New Zealand Food Awards Gala Dinner, held in Palmerston North on Thursday 16 October 2025. Finalists, entrants, partners, and industry leaders gather to honour the achievements shaping the future of food in Aotearoa.
Join the ranks of New Zealand’s best. Entries close 3 June 2025—submit now.
Award Fees
The Product Award entry fee is $155+ GST for entry of one 'variant' into a maximum of three categories. A 'Variant’ is defined as a version of a Product that exhibits only slight differences – e.g. product package size or flavour. You can add additional categories beyond this for that same variant for a fee of $55+ GST per category.
2025 Key Dates
Entries open: 1 May – 3 June
Judging week: 23-27 June
Compliance checks: 30 June - 18 July
Finalists announced: 12 August
Gala dinner and winners announced: 16 October
People Award - there is no entry fee for this award.
Of the categories in this award type, only the Emerging Talent: Food Science & Technology category is open for entry. Entries will be accepted though self-nomination or nominated by peers/ manager (with consent of the entrant). All other awards are awarded by judges’ selection.
Process
Entries are open 1 May - 3 June 2025 online using our online portal. Before entering, check out the award categories and criteria, 2025 Terms and Conditions, and relevant case studies.
The steps for entry are:
Access the online portal and create a unique username and password. You will need to do this even if you have entered the awards previously.
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 3 June 2025. 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 12 August 2025 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 Plamerston North on Thursday 16 October 2025.
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
