TRY A NEW CHEESE, NEW ZEALAND!

Kiwis are being encouraged to try a new cheese this month to celebrate New Zealand Cheese Month.  

A regular event on the country’s food calendar, New Zealand Cheese Month is an initiative created and organised by the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association, to draw attention to the value of the local cheese industry. NZ Cheese Month occurs in October because it’s ‘spring flush’ the early days of spring, with warmth and soil moisture creating lush, green grass for animals to feast on. Sheep and goat milking resumes and there is plenty of fresh cheese available for cheese lovers.  

NZSCA Chair, Catherine McNamara says the country’s cheesemaking industry is constantly evolving and she’s encouraging cheese lovers to take a fresh look and try something new.  

“From its beginnings with the European settlers in the early 1800s, through to the present day; the art of cheesemaking has thrived in Aotearoa thanks to the environment producing some of the world’s best milk. This is reflected in the success small and large New Zealand cheese producers have enjoyed on the international stage.  

Now, more than ever, it is vitally important Kiwis support local cheesemakers to ensure their survival. On behalf of cheesemakers across the country I encourage shoppers to look out for and purchase New Zealand cheese. Supporting delicious, locally made cheese will ensure it’s here for generations to come.” 

NZ Champions of Cheese 2021 Master Judge Jason Tarrant, has a life-long love of cheese and can trace the evolution of New Zealand’s cheese industry through to today’s myriad options. 

“When I started in the industry I recall speciality cheese was mostly confined to Camembert, Blue Vein and Cheddar. Who can forget deep-fried Camembert and the Family Block of Cheddar?  

The 1980s and 1990s brought huge expansion with the development of what have become some of our most iconic cheesemaking companies; Puhoi Valley, East Tamaki Dairy Co, Whitestone Cheese Co, Kapiti and Ferndale Dairies – to name only a few.  

SEARCHING FOR NZ’S FAVOURITE CHEESE COMPANY  

NZSCA is working with Rutherford & Meyer to find Kiwis’ favourite NZ Cheese Company.  

Cheese lovers are encouraged to visit www.cheeseloversnz.co.nz vote for their favourite NZ Cheese Company. The NZ Cheese Company with the most votes at the end of NZ Cheese Month will be named Rutherford & Meyer Favourite NZ Cheese Company 

Rutherford and Meyer owner Jan Meyer says being a proud NZ owned and operated business the partnership with NZ Cheese Month couldn’t have been more perfect. “Pairing our artisan range of crackers and fruit pastes with New Zealand’s best cheeses = a match made in heaven.” 

FIND NZ CHEESE ON THE CHEESELOVERS NZ WEBSITE   

Wherever cheese lovers live or holiday in New Zealand NZSCA has developed a resource to make it easy for them to find NZ Cheese. 

The directory of New Zealand cheesemakers, top cheese retailers and farmers’ markets on the website www.cheeseloversnz.co.nz has been updated in time for NZ Cheese Month. Cheese lovers can search by region for cheese.  

Additionally www.cheeseloversnz.co.nz includes a page with links to special cheese offers from NZSCA cheesemaking members. Meaning New Zealand’s finest cheese is only a couple of clicks away from delivery to any home in the country. 

To celebrate New Zealand Cheese Month, we are giving away a special hamper containing a selection of four medal winning cheeses including: 

• Barrys Bay Cheese – Sheep Milk Pecorino 

• Kāpiti Kānuka Havarti  

• Mahoe, Very Old Edam 

• Meyer Cheese Aged Gouda 

• Rutherford & Meyer Love Local NZ Oat Crackers 

• Rutherford & Meyer Quince Fruit Paste 

For your chance to win this fabulous prize pack, simply enter your details in the form below (prize not available for rural delivery).