McIntyre thanks farmers as he prepares to bow out of Feds
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
The company won five awards including the Woolworths Champion of Champions for Monte Cristo, a sheep milk cheddar at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards night in Hamilton last night.
Whitestone’s Monte Cristo cheese also scooped Fonterra’s Champion Original Cheese and Maui Sheep Milk Best-in-Class Sheep Milk Cheese. Judges praised Monte Cristo saying it was “complex, waxy, balanced with a beautiful ivory paste. Delicious. Favourite of the day!”
Whitestone’s Pukaki Blue Brie was named FOSS Champion New Cheese and Whitestone cheesemaker, Jonathan Emerson was MilkTestNZ Champion Cheesemaker.
Established by fourth-generation Otago farmers Bob and Sue Berry in the farming downturn of 1987 to diversify their business - and today managed by their son Simon – the company employs more than 80 staff, with the majority in Oamaru at their factory and the Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli.
Another big winner was Akaroa’s Barrys Bay Cheese.
Barrys Bay traditional cheese, aged gouda picked up the FSQSNZ Champion of Champions Mid-Sized award.
The cheese was pronounced ‘delightful’ by the judges who also made these tasting notes; ‘Lovely chewy fudgy texture. Pronounced fruit, sweet, umami flavours. Excellent.’ The Champion of Champions Mid-Sized was one of four trophies awarded to Barrys Bay. They also won: AsureQuality Champion Dutch-Style for Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Aged Gouda, Tetra Pak Champion Retail Cheddar Cheese for Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese, Canterbury Red, and Sabato Chefs’ Choice with Barrys Bay
Traditional Cheese, Parmesan.
The business was founded in 1895, as one of nine small, family-owned dairy cooperatives around Banks Peninsula. Over time, these small dairy businesses closed, leaving Barrys Bay Cheese. In the early 1950s a new Barrys Bay factory was built - which is used today. Purchased by Daniel and Amy Shields in 2017, in 2020 Barry’s Bay Cheese celebrated 125 years of cheesemaking. It prides itself on a commitment to traditional cheesemaking, producing handcrafted traditional cheese using fresh, Banks Peninsula milk.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
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